  I review the construction of a model for lepton masses based on the flavour
symmetry group A4 x U(1) reproducing the so-called tri-bimaximal lepton mixing
scheme, in eccelent agreement with current data. The model predicts a neutrino
spectrum of normal hierarchy type, not far from degenerate. A testable relation
between neutrino masses is obtained. I shortly discuss also general
requirements for models based on spontaneously broken flavour symmetries, in
order to get a maximal atmospheric mixing angle.
