YOUNG musicians are seeking help to improve their image.

Junior marching jazz band, the Shildon Jubilees, have found they are unable to parade because they do not have uniforms.

The group have recruited 40 members in the six weeks since their formation. But they need funding to buy instruments and uniforms.

Organiser Lesley Tremble said they needed to raise £3,000 for uniforms and would eventually need to replace second-hand instruments with newer ones, so the band could participate in competitions.

She said: "I have appealed to local businesses for sponsorship or even just a small donation, but we only got one reply. I was quite upset by that really.

"We are going to play in Shildon carnival and we will have no uniforms.

"But the band are doing really well. None of them have really been in a band before and they are picking it up really quickly."

The band meet twice a week for practice at the Jubilee Centre, in Shildon.

They are also appealing for more recruits, aged between six and 17, from the area.

Anyone who would like to support the band can call Lesley on 078 90040057.