From the US to Australia and all across the UK, the Salvation Army band has grown into one of the world's most instantly recognisable institutions.

But it may come as a surprise to learn that the first-ever Salvation Army band was formed by workers at Consett Iron Company back in 1879. Tonight, the band is staging the first of a number of concerts to mark a historic milestone - the 125th anniversary of its first meeting.

None of its current crop of more than 20 members can trace their families' origins in Consett International Salvation Army Staff Band back to the start, but several have had musicians in its ranks for four or five generations, including the Simons, Kirkups and Pearsons.

Bandmaster Jeff Baker, whose father and grandfather played and whose son, Philip, is deputy bandmaster, said: "Sadly, that link to the very first members is gone.

"But having four generations of members has helped forge a strong sense of heritage and identity.

"Through two world wars and the closure of the steel-works, we have survived in an unbroken line. That is something to be very proud of."

Consett SA Corps was launched in the steel town in 1878.

A year later, 26-year-old iron roller Ned Lennox started the first band, teaching them to play from the kitchen of his home in Puddler's Row. The houses, occupied by men who heated, or "puddled", iron compounds at the steelworks, are long gone.

The first members included the accident prone Jimmy Simpson, who frequently demolished ornaments on the Lennox family mantlepiece, as he wrestled with his large circular bass.

Simpson was also the first person at the corps to wear the Salvation Army uniform, which earned him an arrest for "looking suspicious" after he wore it on a visit to his mother in Ireland.

The band made their first successful public appearance in Consett on Christmas Day, 1879. But some of their early concerts did not go quite to plan.

An open-air performance in Gateshead in 1881 was cut short when local tradesmen objected to their presence, and the band captain, Polly Barber, was arrested by the police.

The band followed, formed up outside the police station, and marched up and down, playing until she was released.

They were also banned by Consett Council from playing in the town's cemetery, after they were accused of damaging the railings.

Their early history was preserved by the first secretary, Sam Carruthers, who died in 1947, aged 86. It was his diligent keeping of newspaper clippings that proved the Consett band was the first in the world.

To mark their 125th anniversary, the SA International Staff Band performs in the Empire Theatre, Consett, tonight, at 7pm. The concert will also be a swansong for former Consett officer, Peter Wood, who will be band leader for the weekend, before he retires from the staff band.

The staff band will also perform at two services in the SA Hall in Sherburn Terrace, Consett, tomorrow, at 10am and 3.30pm.

A photographic exhibition of the band's history is on show in the hall today, and it will perform alongside Consett Junior Brass, at 11am.

Tickets for the Empire Theatre performance are £7 or £3 for a restricted view, and are available on (01207) 218171.

Historic photographs of the Consett band are available from Tommy Young, on (01207) 503161.