IN a village pub 4km from their hometown and down a country lane, the Blue Tigers are in rehearsals for their big day.

The recently formed jazz band will perform at the 63rd annual town gala in Spennymoor, County Durham, next weekend.

And for most of its members the parade will be a trip down memory lane as it was born out of the town's two jazz bands The Bluebirds and The Tigers.

Both bands had enjoyed a friendly rivalry during in the 1970s and into the mid-1980s when they both folded.

Many times since, the gala committee has paid to hire jazz bands from outside the town to march in the parade.

But this year members decided to hold a jazz band reunion to encourage former players to pick up their kazoos and their drums once more.

Committee member Julie Wilson, who helps organise the gala entertainment, said: "There are still a lot of the girls who were in them around and it is such a traditional feature of the gala we felt it was a good idea to try to bring them together.

"The first meeting, one person came.

"Then we advertised again, word got round and with the gala coming up it snowballed and now there are about 16 of us.

"We pay our subs, bought our own kazoos and drums are making our uniforms and having so much fun.

"We're really looking forward to it."

Most of the players– aged six to 66– were in the original two bands and found their old skills came flooding back.

They have taken the lead in rehearsals, which began at Tudhoe Workingmen's Club and are now held at The Daleside Arms, Croxdale, and on nearby Chair Lane– away from an audience until players are confident to march through the town alongside experienced guest bands in the gala parade on Saturday, July 7.

Some players have taken friends, sisters and even grandchildren along.

For others, like Miss Wilson, it was a chance to live a childhood dream.

She said: "I was never in a jazz band myself but I'd have loved it.

"It is wonderful.

"I think the reunion has been very successful.

"Those who used to do it have been great, they can remember it all like it was yesterday and are patiently showing the rest of us.

"There was once a rivalry, friendly I'm sure, between them and now they are together.

"We're all for Spennymoor and care a lot about the gala, we hope to do ourselves proud and that other people appreciate having a home town band in the gala again."

The Bluebird Tigers' uniforms and banner combine the old bands' colours of white, blue and orange.

The gala parade this year will have a Disneymania theme– for which the band will play music from Mary Poppins– and leaves Barnfield Road at 12.30pm.

Most of the attractions are at Jubilee Park and include music from Spennymoor Town Band and a samba band, stilt walkers, vintage vehicles, dancers and stalls. Admission 50p.

Culine's family fun fair will be open in the park from 6pm on Thursday, July 5 through until Sunday.

Gala proceeds will go towards a day trip to Redcar for local senior citizens.