AN 80-year old band needs new members to stop it closing.

Leigh Silver Band, once the Leigh British Legion Band, was formed in about 1920, and is now struggling to survive.

Cornet player, Harold Roberts is one of the band's two oldest members and has been running the group for 12 years. He cannot recall, during his 50 years with the band, ever seeing it in such a serious situation.

He said: "We desperately need new members to enable us to keep going. We should be 25 strong and at the moment we only have five members.

"The bottom line now is that unless there is a dramatic increase in the next few weeks the band will cease to continue.

Joining

"The town has already seen the closure of the Leigh Bedford Band for the same reason. I would be in favour of joining forces with any ex-Bedford members and creating one successful town band."

The group want committed people of any age to join. Experience is welcomed, but not necessary, as tuition and some instruments can be provided.

The band is also short of committee members to help run the club from behind the scenes, organising and fund-raising.

It meets every Wednesday evening from 8-10pm at the Conservative Club on Railway Road, Leigh.

For more information contact Harold Roberts on 01942 678594.