A SPIDER whose leg has been ripped off by a "musical madman" is the star of a new app which combines memory with music.

Economics teacher Ben Ponniah channelled his extracurricular passion for music into Spidey's Piano, which hit Apple's App Store on Friday.

The 31-year-old, who teaches at Abingdon School, said: "There are quite a lot of music apps out there but I thought they should be more entertaining. In the app the spider has been trapped by a musical madman who has taken off his eighth leg. Each time you get more right, he gets a bit of his leg back."

The game tests memory using coloured piano keys which Spidey plays in sequences, for the player to repeat.

It is the second app Mr Ponniah has made, after a less successful attempt to create a word game.

He said: "I'm a designer and visionary and get people to help me with the coding. I'm much happier with this app. It's marketed towards children but anyone can use it to improve their memory, adults or those with dementia. It certainly amuses me, I hope it will for other people.

"Music is my main extracurricular passion, I've sung and composed music all my life. I don't really have any economic app ideas yet which is my work and I am passionate about it, but I like to do something different. It's a bit quirky and weird."

Mr Ponniah grew up in a choral community, singing church music and traditional British songs.

The app is available to download free on Android and Apple phones, by searching app stores for Spidey's Piano.