NORTH-EAST musicians are embarking on a huge fund-raising campaign to keep their band going strong in the 21st Century.

The Cockerton Band - Darlington's only brass band - is in urgent need of new instruments and uniforms.

The group, which has been going for more than 100 years, also needs to raise money to carry out repairs to its band room.

Large financial costs came from transporting 30 musicians and instruments to the recent National Brass Band Championships in Torquay.

A spokesman said: "To play at the highest standard requires a lot of hard work and discipline in practising.

"It is a great honour and tribute to the efforts of the band and its musical director, Graham Catherall, to get to the national finals, but without new instruments we will be unable to maintain our high standard.

"We have been fortunate to borrow one or two instruments from other bands in the region, but this is a measure which we would rather not have to take.

"We hope that, as Darlington's only brass band and with a long tradition of making music in the town, Darlington folk and local businesses will come to our aid and enable us to continue that tradition for many years to come."

The band's next concert is on Sunday at Mowden Park Rugby Club, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4, with concessions at £2.50, and are available from the club or by telephoning (01325) 482901.