IT has been called "one of the aristocrats" of English bands. And after 130 years, Wingates Band continues to show the class which made its name.

This is no ordinary band, it has played at the White house, before the Queen and at Disney World in Florida.

And it has won praise from some of this country's most eminent musicians.

The "aristocrat" tag was given to the band by Howard Snell, former chairman of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Wingates Band's pedigree has made it a name around the world -- a fact recognised by David Kaye, its marketing and PR manager.

He said: "Wingates has a history and pedigree which can be matched by very few bands in the land. As we continue to discover, the name of Wingates is well known and highly respected not only nationally, but internationally too."

Members of its 900-strong supporters' club come from all over Britain and beyond.

And at least part of the attraction lies in the band's rich history.

Wingates Band has its roots in Methodism, and its headquarters is still on the site of the former Wesleyan chapel in Wingates Square.

It was back in 1873 that a group of men from the Wingates Independent Methodists' Bible class formed a band.

This drum and fife ensemble was named Westhoughton Good Templars, becoming Wingates Temperance Band in 1878.

The name stayed for more than 100 years, until it was decided to drop the word "Temperance" after the band struck a sponsorship deal with the Bass Brewery.

Traditionalists and Methodists were horrified, but the band had moved into the commercial age. Later, British Aerospace became the band's sponsors. Since 1990, Krones UK Ltd, based at Wingates Industrial Park, has been the band's "benefactor".

Wingates' 130th anniversary year has shown all the signs of continuing its proud tradition winning the Brass of the Guild competition at Preston's Guild Hall in February, led by musical director Roy Curran, a former director of the Brighouse and Rastrick Band. It was the latest in a long line of Wingates achievements.

In 1986, the band played before the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at St Paul's Cathedral the first traditional brass ensemble to play there. The band has also toured the world.

To mark this year's anniversary, the band has recorded a birthday album. Its next performance will be with the Houghton Weavers, at Rivington Barn Hall on Wednesday, August 27. Tickets cost £7 from David Kaye on 01942 845001 or 01204 595938.

There are also plans to take part in the French Open Brass Band Championships next year.

It is clear that, after 130 years, Wingates Band is still centre stage in the brass band world.