MUSIC lovers will strike up the band this weekend to celebrate the birthday of one of the oldest cornet players in the country.

Former quarryman Clyde Woodhall joined the brass band in Stanhope when he was 12.

On Sunday, 68 years on, he will be 80, and to celebrate that milestone, band members have dedicated the first concert in their Festival of Brass season to his musical marathon.

The Woodhall family have been associated with what is now Stanhope Silver Band since it started in 1823.

Both Mr Woodhall's greatgrandfather and grandfather were band members, as was his 39-year-old son, Nigel, who is now a member of The Rifles Regimental Band.

But it was his uncle, Jack Woodhall, a celebrated conductor after the Second World War, who had the biggest influence on Mr Woodhall's musical career.

He said: "The band had nearly disintegrated during the war, and it was men like my uncle Jack who were largely responsible for its revival. By 1947, things were nearly back to normal.

"Looking back all those years, it would be fair to say that my uncle Jack inspired me to follow in the tradition of what has been a very fine brass band.

"He took me under his wing and taught me all I needed to know about playing the cornet."

Among the highlights of his musical career, Mr Woodhall is particularly proud of the band's success in their section at the National Brass Bands Championship in London in 1964.

He said: "I am intensely proud at still managing to take part in concerts and contests.

"I reckon I can carry on for a few years yet. The only problem is that my lips are not as strong as they used to be, and I have difficulty at hitting the really high notes."

In tribute to Mr Woodhall, the band has billed its concert, in St Thomas' Church, Stanhope, at 7.30pm tomorrow as an octogenarian celebration.

Conductor Steve Robson said: "As a band, we always work very hard to encourage young players, but on this occasion we want to concentrate on the wealth of experience we have.

"It is marvellous that we can say loudly and clearly to Clyde and other players of his generation how thrilled we are at the vital part they play in the band.

"They have proved to be tremendous role models for our young players."