THE Cockerton Prize Silver Band in Darlington has enjoyed a successful Christmas and is hoping to raise enough money for new uniforms and instruments.

Organisers are drawing up a bid to the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund and have embarked on a fundraising campaign locally.

The campaign was launched after heavy costs were incurred through transporting performers to the national brass band finals in Torquay at the end of September.

Band spokesman John Steel said: "We have had a successful Christmas in terms of fundraising events.

"We have had some donations and a lot of support - it has been our best Christmas ever."

Mr Steel said that new uniforms could be a priority in the coming year, because the huge cost of buying instruments would require a successful National Lottery bid.

"It is quite a complex operation to get information together for the New Opportunities Fund, so that is an on-going project," he said.

"To get the instruments we need, it has got to be Lottery money. It can be up to £10,000 just for a bass."

The band's last Christmas event takes place on Saturday at the Holy Family Social Centre, in Cockerton.