BOY BANDS Five and 911 might be flying the musical flag for Warrington this year but one town band could teach them a thing or two about staying power.

After more than 34 years in the business, Warrington Brass is still going strong and certainly isn't brassed off with its achievements.

The band has toured nine countries and even picked up a world title for the town, by winning the World Youth Championships in Vienna in 1980.

The group's latest excursion took it back to the sunshine island of Malta for a fourth time in just over a decade.

"It was a great experience for all the band. We received another warm and friendly welcome and played to packed audiences every time," said director Len Andrews.

The highlight of the trip was a joint concert with a Maltese band followed by a roof top firework display.

Len, aged 78, has been playing in brass bands since the age of 13 and formed the Warrington Youth Band in 1965.

As youngters drifted away from trombones and tubas to Take That and television and its members matured, the band changed its name to Warrington Brass in 1996.

"It got a bit embarrassing," said Len. "We would be at functions and the DJs would introduce us as the Warrington Youth Band.

"Then you would get all these chaps with bald heads on stage."

As well as touring the globe, the band has helped promote the annual youth exchange between Warrington and twin town Hilden, in Germany.

One highlight was celebrations to mark the retirement of Hilden exchange officer Werner Friese after 30 years.

Band secretary Pat May said: "At a surprise party at the town hall the Buegermeister (Hilden's elected mayor) arrived from Germany."

1998 was also a memorable year for Len. He was awarded a certificate for his years of commitment to the Warrington music scene at a special presentation by then Mayor Roy Humphreys.

Now Len and the 25-strong band are getting ready for the Christmas season and a string of seasonal concerts in and around the town.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.