One patient felt so relaxed she slept for the first time in a fortnight

International musicians have been invited by the Barts and the London NHS Trust to perform on wards from a chemotherapy unit to intensive care.

Studies show music can be beneficial, improving heart rate, blood pressure, immune response and pain management, says the trust.

Charity Vital Arts will stage 100 concerts costing �5,000 paid by donors.

'Groundbreaking art'

Rhodri Davies, Charlotte Church's harpist, and sitar player Jonathan Mayer are among those who have already performed in concerts at Barts, the Royal London and the London chest hospital, all in east London.

Charles Gutteridge, medical director at the trust, said: "Patients can be treated in many difference ways and while medical care remains the most important, there are undoubted benefits from an improved environment."

Catrin Jones, music and performance manager for the charity, said the project was breaking new ground in the area of art in hospitals.

"Elderly people have broken spontaneously into song, and I remember another patient who said she felt so relaxed she would be able to sleep for the first time in a fortnight," she added.