A BRASSED OFF band could soon be playing its last serenade -- unless it can find a new brass section.

Blackburn with Darwen's Big Band has sounded a warning that unless a brass section can be found the whole band will be in danger of falling flat.

The band has the instruments needed -- four trumpets and four trombones -- all brand new but nobody to play them.

All the other sections of the band -- wind, percussion and keyboards -- are well catered for and musical director Mike Leeson believes brass musicians must be out there somewhere.

He said: "We need to bring them out of the cupboards so to speak. I go round schools looking for brass players across the borough, particularly good quality ones. To be in the band you need to be of Grade Five standard. but there doesn't seem to be anybody in Blackburn."

The band has been going for a number of years although Mike only took charge in March. Later that month the band played a concert at King George's Hall with an ad-hoc brass section.

Mike, who has been a trumpet player for more than 30 years, said: "I had to play in that and ask a few friends along but we cannot carry on like that. If we don't get it sorted there will be no band, simple as that, which would be a great shame. You need a brass section to complete the band."

Mike, who works all over the country with other big bands, said: "It's not a country-wide problem, it just seems to be in Blackburn at the moment. When I first started playing about 30 years ago, brass bands were a great hobby but over the years other things are taking over like television or computer games. Music is taking a back seat and those that are interested usually take up the guitar or keyboards."

The band rehearses at St Mary's College, Blackburn, and some pupils are involved in the band.

Head of music Michelle Gorrell said it would be a great shame if the band had to call it a day.

She said: "It would be a big a disappointment to everyone involved if it had to fold."

However according to some, the state of brass bands is still very much alive and kicking.

Phil Biggs, administrator for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, which recruits from all over the country, said there was no sign of brass being on the wane just yet.

He said: "We audition a couple of hundred of youngsters every year and the youth brass band activity has been quite buoyant of late."

Mike Leeson is urging people to come forward and join the band which is open to youngsters aged between 14-18.

Players meet every Tuesday at St Mary's College, in Shear Brow, for rehearsals from 4.30pm-6.30pm.

Mike said: "It is a great thing to get into, very relaxing with a good social life. The music we play is everything from jazz, blues and the classics. I'm sure people would enjoy it."