THE latest round of arts lottery hand-outs is music to the ears of two local bands.

A grant of £36,000 has secured the future of Bolton Youth Brass Band who can now buy a wide range of new instruments.

Brass instruments for children aged from 10-18 will be used in both the senior youth and junior schools sections.

More musicians will be able to join the band and older instruments will be donated to schools for beginners to try out brass band music.

The cash grant is predicted to keep the band going for the next 10-15 years and they aim to make more visits to entertain patients in hospital and hold workshops in schools.

The band is conducted by Bolton Council peripatetic music teacher Christopher Cull but the lottery bid was put together by Parents' Support Group members John Rothwell, Paul Meredith and Terry Marsh.

The 162 year old Tottington Public Band can now support budding musicians thanks to a grant of £47,520. Members of the band will now be able to get new instruments.

The new instruments will improve the standards of playing and will expand concerts to wider audiences.

The band is open to all sections of the community including the disabled.

Chairwoman Mrs Katie Pilling said today: "Everyone is thrilled. This is the reaslisation of a dream."

Grants totalling more than £1.1 million have been announced by the North West Arts Board today.

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