A pianist who says he was sacked for playing too loudly at a high-class cafe has had his hopes of continuing to entertain customers dashed.

Alan Robinson, of Hoyle Court, Baildon, who has tickled the ivories at the famous Bettys Tea Rooms in Ilkley for 18 years, was stunned when the owners told him his music was too loud and that he had to go.

The 75-year-old said: I don't know where they got the idea my playing was too loud.

That really teed me off. I've always been conscious that people in Bettys want to enjoy a cup of tea and conversation, I know they don't want to be overpowered by music.'' The pensioner said he only ever played suitable sounds from the 30s, 40s and the Palm Court type.

But he also believes the real reason for the termination of his services is a planned refurbishment which will leave no room for him and his musical instrument.

He added: I certainly wasn't rock and rolling.

Bettys just want what is my piano space to squeeze a couple of extra tables in.'' Taylor's of Harrogate, who own Bettys, said there had been complaints from customers about Mr Robinson playing too loudly, and also confirmed that the piano's space was needed to make way for more seating in a planned refurbishment.

A spokesman said: We've been aware for a while that the branch doesn't have the ideal acoustics for music, and because of the shape of the cafe nothing could be done to improve things.'' Although Mr Robinson now plans to spend more of his time with Joan, his wife of 34 years, he did say he would be available if cafe bosses wanted to make a U-turn on their decision in the future.

The pensioner, who started playing the piano in his 20s and also plays the accordion and banjo, said: I would reconsider staying if they asked me to. It has certainly helped supplement the pension over the years even if it has cut into free time at weekends.'' Mr Robinson now has just this weekend and next weekend to play in front of a Bettys audience.

He said: I've got to know many customers over the past 18 years. It's an end of an era and I'm sure they'll miss me.

Just as I'm sure they would have told me if I'd been annoying them by playing too loudly. It was very unfair of Bettys to say that.'' e-mail: kathie.griffiths@bradford.newsquest.co.uk