A BAND has taken to the road thanks to the generosity of local people.

Since its revival five years ago, Leyburn Band has gone from strength to strength - acquiring along the way timpani, a xylophone, a glockenspiel, tubular bells and a bass drum.

And its growing problem of how to transport all the instruments and other equipment has now been solved - courtesy of a new trailer.

Half the cost of the trailer has being donated by Leyburn-based Biker Contracts Ltd and most of the balance by the organisers of the Dales Festival of Food and Drink - which has made a number of grants to the band since its re-establishment.

Bass player and honorary treasurer Gordon Walker said: "We are very grateful to Tony Biker and his company for his great generosity and to the Dales Festival of Food and Drink organisers who have contributed so much to the financial support of the band.".

The band performed at the Middleham Stables Open Day and their next performance will be on the Sunday of the Dales Festival of Food and Drink, May 3.

On May 10 it will be playing with other Dales bands at Aysgarth Church in aid of the Amala School in India.

On the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, it will be at Finghall Barrel Push and on May 26 it will be performing in St Matthew’s Church Leyburn as part of the Swaledale Festival.