CHAMPIONSHIP musicians have launched a cash-raising campaign to buy their own vehicle.

Crook Town Grenadiers juvenile jazz band hopes to raise £6,000 to buy a minibus to travel to competitions and shows across the country.

The band's 43 members are planning a series of fundraising events, including a charity car wash at Brookside Garage, in Crook, every Saturday throughout April.

They will also hold an Easter raffle, street collections, supermarket pack bags, and possibly a fun day on April 26.

Band secretary Julie Scott said: "We have been going for four years and have had some great success in contests recently.

"We won the World Championships and White Rose Northern contest last year and have some big competitions coming up.

"It will be really good to have our own transport, which will make it easier for us to travel away without relying so much on parents, who already do so much.

"We are going to get on with raising as much as possible, but we need local support to reach our target."

Donations can be made at Glenholme Youth Centre, where the band practises every Tuesday and Friday, or at the Community Partnership Shop in Hope Street, which will display a chart monitoring the campaign's progress.

Anyone who wants to help the group, or boys or girls interested in joining, can also call (01388) 762729 or 763025 for more details.