A FAMOUS Air Training Corps band has been re-formed 40 years after it was disbanded.

Bolton's 80 Squadron Air Training Corps Band is up and running again and will be performing at the Battle of Britain Remembrance Day event in the town centre on Sunday.

The band will march proudly to the cenotaph on Victoria Square with their counterparts from the Blackburn and Worsley squadrons.

Originally formed in 1943, the band folded in the 1950s because of a lack of funds and enthusiasm.

But the ambition of 80 Squadron's commanding officer and the vision of its civilian committee chairman have brought the music back.

Dave Sutcliffe, secretary of the 80 Squadron Civilian Committee, said: "Our CO, Flight Lieutenant Jack Cooper, moved to Bolton from Blackburn Squadron which has its own band.

"He wanted a band here and made it happen with the help of committee chairman George Davis, DFM, who flew with the RAF in the war.

"The matter of reforming the band was discussed at the squadron's annual presentation in May.

"Owen Oakes, an original band member, donated money for two trumpets and things just snowballed from there.

"We have been going for about three months now. It is fitting that 80 Squadron has its own band because it is the biggest of 22 squadrons in the East Lancashire Wing of the Air Training Corps."

The Bolton Squadron has about 80 active cadets. Anyone aged between 13 and 19 is welcome to join the squadron which is based at the TA centre on Nelson Street. They can then join the band if they wish.

Dave added: "Owen is particularly delighted that the band has re-formed in his lifetime.

New band master Tom Chadwick is a former cadet and has worked with a number of other bands.

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