A LONG-PLAYING former colliery band is back in tune having almost returned to its roots.

Durham County Cricket Club and Chester-le-Street District Council offered a lifeline after hearing the Newcastle Brown Ale Band was in danger of disbanding.

Members feared the worse when a sponsorship agreement with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries ended after 28 years.

But with the new backing they now play as Chester-le-Street Riverside Band.

Fox Advertising of Durham and mineral extraction company The Banks Group, of West Cornforth, have also sponsored the 28-strong ensemble ranked fourth in the top nine championship bands in the North.

They staged a re-launch concert recently at the county cricket club's Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street, raising £3,000 in the process.

The move to Chester-le-Street brings it almost full circle, having begun life as a Methodist Band, in nearby Pelton Fell, in 1880.

It is a particular triumphant note for members of the Thompson family, from Chester-le-Street, who have been steeped in the North-East brass tradition.

Band manager Tony Thompson is principal cornet player in a section dominated by his family.

Grandfather Jack Bridgewater was a bandsman and father Ray is a former secretary of the band, as well as playing cornet.

Tony's wife Pauline also plays cornet, as does brother Carl whose partner, Elaine Carr, is a horn player.

Tony said: "It's been a great move for the band. We've raised more money recently than we have for years and it's given us a new lease of life." The band can be seen performing at an open weekend at Newcastle's St Nicholas Cathedral, on Sunday June 16, 2-4pm

They will also perform at an NSPCC concert, backing Graham Danby and his wife Valerie Watson, both of the English National Opera, at Colebrook Audi garage, North Shields, on July 3.

The season culminates in a Last Night of the Proms performance at the Riverside on September 27.