BOURNEMOUTH'S marching band is aiming high as it hopes to join the ranks of the elite in the UK.

The Bournemouth Youth Marching Band, founded as the Talbot Corps of Drums in 1989, is hoping to join the ‘Elite Circle’ of youth bands.

The band is training for a performance at Disneyland Paris this August.

It performs regularly across the area and nationwide, and support the Royal British Legion poppy appeal each November.

Internationally, the band has performed across Europe, including in France, Belgium, Holland, Austria and Germany.

Bournemouth Echo:

The band is volunteer-based and teaches band members discipline and respect alongside musical performance.

In recent years the band has seen former members progress into the UK Armed Forces bands, including the Band of the Household Cavalry, the Royal Corps of Army Music and the Royal Marines Band Service.

The bandmaster, Andrew Kinch, said: “The band is a really low-cost hobby at just £10 per month. This includes the loan of an instrument, uniform, training, music, the performance opportunities and the activities.

“Children and young people aged 8 and over are welcome to come along for a free taster meeting on a Wednesday evening at Bourne Academy in Hadow Rd. We start at 6.45pm. Please let us know you are coming by emailing bymband@aol.com.

“All standards including beginners are welcome. You don't need to be able to play an instrument as we teach you everything that you need to know.”