The bidding reached a £7,000 crescendo as music aficionados battled it out for the chance to conduct one of the world's greatest orchestras on an internet auction site over the weekend.

Exactly 40 bids were placed, starting at £1,000, for a onetoone class given by the leader of the CBSO Sakari Oramo on eBay, after the online auction was launched at one minute past midnight on Wednesday.

After completing an unforgettable music lesson with the Finnish maestro, Alessandro Prometeo - who successfully bid £7,112 - will conduct a rehearsal of the 90-piece orchestra.

The once- in- a- lifetime musical experience will be followed by a meal with the members and management of the CBSO and a night's stay at Birmingham's four-star Marriott Hotel.

The orchestra has now made almost £14,000 from the prize, after a woman who bid £5,500 for it at a gala ball earlier this year paid the money but asked for it to be re-auctioned.

CBSO chief executive, Stephen Maddock, said he had been riveted by the auction after it went live.

Mr Maddock said: "The atmosphere in the office was very exciting as we approached the final day of bidding.

"We were all glued to the eBay site, and we're thrilled with the generosity of bidders.

"The winner will definitely get their money's worth with such a wonderful opportunity.

"We don't know yet if our winning bidder is an aspiring conductor or someone completely inexperienced who just wants to be charitable towards us.

"Either way, they will be assured of a warm welcome from the CBSO, and an unforgettable experience in Symphony Hall."

All money raised from this auction will go towards supporting the CBSO's education and community programme, which works directly with over 25,000 people annually.

Through its programme the CBSO aims to work with children with disabilities, the elderly, and thousands of others who might not ordinarily have the chance to visit the Symphony Hall in Centenary Square.

Each visit can cost anything between £100 and £1,000.