A MUSIC club for children in a Darlington estate may have to close unless a new sponsor is found.

The Darlington Harlequins Juvenile Jazz Band is based at Firthmoor but attracts members from as far as North Yorkshire.

The marching band enters display competitions across the North-East and the young performers have racked up an impressive collection of winners medals.

But the band may have performed its last routine unless local businesses answer a plea for help.

There is a chance that the band could come to an end, said treasurer Graeme Parkin.

If we run out of money, we cant pay to take the kids to competitions, or to buy uniforms and instruments.

The kids love it. It gets them out and about and they have a great laugh.

But we rely on funding at the moment and that is never guaranteed.

Unless we find a sponsor, we may have to stop.

The band was set up in March 2006, with Saturday meetings at Firthmoor Community Centre in Maidendale House.

The only group of its kind in Darlington, the Harlequins has 30 boys and girls aged between four and 17 years old.

Many people think juvenile jazz is just a form of jazz for children but its not like that, said Mr Parkin, 27.

We are a marching band with kazoo players, bass drums, xylophones and pom poms C the kind you get in American parades.

We have people who were in bands previously who help to train up the kids. Everybody does it for free and it is 100 per cent voluntary.

Its great for the kids to mix with people from other areas and make new friends. It increases their self-confidence and keeps them off the streets.

Previous appeals for sponsorship have failed, but Mr Parkin added that members were hopeful that a local business could be found to help out.

We have never had a sponsor but we need one now. Its the only way we can survive, he said.

Businesses are asked to contact Mr Parkin for information on 0792-7652098.

ö The band holds a funday at Eastbourne Park on Saturday at 2pm.