Bach and Beethoven roll over for Britney

Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and ... Britney Spears. If you're ever stuck for the name of a classical performer, don't even think of asking a schoolchild. They won't know.

A new survey has confirmed what many parents must have long feared: most children know little or nothing about classical music.

When 600 six to 14-year-olds were asked by Classic FM magazine to name a classical composer, 65 per cent were unable to proffer a single correct name.

That's not to say they were short on suggestions. Britney, S Club 7, Steps and recent Pop Idol finalists Will Young and Gareth Gates were among the names that cropped up more than once.

Even Charlotte Church, the 16-year-old soprano from Cardiff who has become a regular fixture at royal variety performances and on magazine covers, failed to get a single mention.

The survey coincides with this week's launch of Classic FM magazine's Instruments for Schools campaign. But no one will be surprised if the children don't know whether to blow, pluck or beat the instruments they are given.