MEMBERS of four North-East brass bands are aiming to raise funds for families in Third World countries.

Nearly 130 band members will record a "Brass Band Aid" CD next month, which will go on sale to raise money for the charity World Vision, which provides self-help programmes for people in developing countries.

The initiative came from Stanhope Silver Band, in Weardale, County Durham, and its conductor, Steve Robson, whose family have been involved in child sponsorship in Africa and Brazil for some years.

The CD will be recorded on May 14 and 15 and will also involve brass bands in Ferryhill, Barnard Castle and Broughtons, near Hetton-le-Hole. They will be joined by leading conductor Richard Evans, of the Grimethorpe UK Band.

Fundraising for the recording will start on Sunday with a soup and sweets event at Ireshopeburn Literary Institute, in Weardale, from noon to 2pm.

It has been organised by Mr Robson's 13-year-old daughter, Sophie, who plays flugelhorn in the Stanhope band. She hopes to raise £1,000 at the event.