THE family of a young Alexandria bagpiper who was forced to abandon a live performance after a resident complained to police about the noise has been overwhelmed by online messages of support.

Vale of Leven Academy pupil Mark Morrison was approached by police as he prepared to start playing his second set of tunes in the middle of Helensburgh.

The 15-year-old, who appeared on The Voice Kids just a few weeks ago, posted on social media afterwards to apologise to “anyone who was sitting in Colquhoun Square waiting for the second half of my performance”.

In the hours and days that followed, hundreds of people commented to give the youngster their backing - and mum Morag said the setback hasn’t dampened his musical spirits.

She said: “This has certainly not deterred him from performing.

“He has been quite humbled by it and the people in Helensburgh have been absolutely amazing.”

Morag said Mark had been invited along to a street market in the square to perform for the shoppers, and started singing after around 15 minutes of tunes.

After stopping for lunch, the teenager returned to his spot - where two waiting police officers asked if he had a busking licence.

“I was sure he didn’t need a licence,” Morag said, “but the police said he did, so I wasn’t going to argue with them.

“The officers were nice about it but they didn’t ask us to move elsewhere. Because he didn’t have a licence to perform, we had to take his equipment, pack everything up and leave.

“The police have got a job to do, and everybody has a right to complain. It’s just a pity that if they felt so strongly about it they could’ve asked the market to move him.”

Mark has been visiting care homes during lockdown to sing and play the bagpipes for residents, while he has also raised more than £2,500 for the NHS and local charities, and donated three iPads to critical care units.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “About midday on Saturday, July 25, a complaint was received from a member of the public about the noise being made by a bagpiper in Colquhoun Square.

“Local officers attended and informed the bagpiper of the complaint and he finished his performance.

No licences or permits are required by street performers in such circumstances but the noise must be kept at a reasonable level.

“An offence is committed by any person who fails to desist on being required to do so by a constable in uniform.

“No offence was committed on this occasion.

“Visitors to the town centre appear to appreciate such performances but one or two local residents are understandably less impressed when they have no choice but to listen to these performances in their nearby houses.

“A certain level of noise is to be expected in town centres. Local residents are asked to be tolerant of such performances for limited periods at reasonable times, especially when they are for worthwhile and charitable causes and widely appreciated by many members of the public.”

Argyll and Bute Council confirmed that there is no licence required to busk or perform street entertainment in Helensburgh, or anywhere else in the council area.

A council spokesperson added: “It is an offence to give any other person reasonable cause for annoyance and fail to cease playing on being required to do so by the police.

“This may result in a summary conviction and a fine of up to £200.”