A BRASS band hit by the foot-and- mouth epidemic last year is looking for new blood.

Bedale Brass Band managed to keep ticking over after a lean summer last year with spring and winter concerts, helped by carols at Christmas.

The learner band continues to grow under the leadership of Andrew Dalby and his helpers and have started to do some engagements in their own right.

The conductor for the past few years has been George Lundberg, from Gunnerside, and the band has enjoyed some success under his baton but his contract has expired and a new bandmaster is being sought, preferably from the local area. Anyone interested can apply to chairman David Bean on (01609) 77012 for an audition.

The band's spring concert is on Saturday, May 4, for which it is expecting to employ a celebrity conductor.