AN award-winning brass band has secured a new sponsorship deal after more than a century of support from a company.

York's Rowntrees Brass Band will be known as the Shepherd Building Group Brass Band from April.

The band have been sponsored by York sweet manufacturer Rowntree for 101 years, but struck a deal with the construction, property and engineering company, also in York.

Band committee member Charles Wilson said: "We are very happy with Rowntree and very grateful for their financial support for the last 100 years.

"They were finding it difficult to confirm long-term support for the band, and we felt that we needed to secure the long-term future of the band."

Their final concert under the Rowntree name will be on Saturday, February 7, in the Galtres Centre, in Easingwold, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children, available at the door.

Published: 30/01/2004