IT’S a classic case of the old meeting the new.

A £300,000 replica of a 17th century pipe organ was unveiled at Huddersfield University yesterday in the most modern building on the campus.

Castleford businessman Michael Phipps donated the instrument to the university after deciding to move to a smaller home.

And it took two weeks to relocate the organ from Mr Phipps’ house to the university’s eye-catching Creative Arts Building on the ring road.

It now has pride of place in the recital hall.

Mr Phipps commissioned the organ himself and work on it finished 10-years ago. It was kept it in a room – the size of a small house – in the grounds of Mr Phipps’ home.

But, at the age of 72, he has decided to move to a smaller property.

University organist Dr Graham Cummings said: “I met Michael about three years ago. I later discovered that he intended to sell his house and that he wanted to find a new home for his organ.

“I asked if he would consider re-housing the organ at Huddersfield University. Both the University of Leeds and Wakefield Cathedral also expressed an interest and Michael thought about it for six months.

“He is extremely passionate about the instrument and we were very fortunate and extremely grateful that he chose Huddersfield.”

The instrument is a replica of a late 17th Century organ found in Holland and North Germany.

David Wood, of Wood organ-builders on St Andrews Road, Huddersfield, helped construct and maintain the instrument.

The company took the organ apart and moved it from Castleford to the university where it is now being reconstructed.

Dr Cummins said: “We have delayed the opening concerts until next year so that the instrument can settle into its new surroundings. Over the next few months the organ will adjust itself to the humidity and the air-handling system in the room.

“This is a normal process for such a delicate instrument, but in a few months it will sound as good as when it was first built.”

The grand opening takes place on March 9 when David Titterington from the Royal Academy in London will give a recital.