A military band with historic links to Bury is urging new players to join its ranks.

The Royal Regiment of Lancashire Fusiliers Band and Corps of Drums is seeking members to join its 34-strong team.

There are vacancies for saxophone, cornet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion players.

The band, formed in 1997 by Lieutenant Colonel Eric Davidson, has a voluntary status within the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and musicians serve the regiment as civilians.

Last year, it toured in Normandy and it supports the regiment on Gallipoli and Minden days — as well as taking part in many civic events.

The band will play in Blackpool later this month as part of Armed Forces Weekend, then at the Tower of London and the National Arboret-um in Staffordshire in August.

The Corps of Drums, which has 20 members, performs on its own or with the band and is looking for military drummers and fife or flute players. Experience is not necessary as training can be given.

Band rehearsals take place on Wednesdays from 7.30pm at Bury Drill Hall in Castle Street.

People interested who can commit to weekly rehearsals and at least two engagements per month throughout the year should contact bandmaster Philip Mather on 0161 763 9460 or philip.mather2@tesco.net or band president Colonel Eric Davidson on 0161 705 1577 or davidson551@btinternet.com.