THE relatives of a man celebrating his 100th birthday gave him happy returns with an extra bit of 'tiddly om pom pom'.

When Tom Yates found out he couldn't make it to Blackburn on his uncle Jim Hoghton's special day, he sent a 20-piece brass band instead!

Unfortunately, the birthday boy was feeling unwell and was in bed when members of Blackburn with Darwen Band turned up.

But, with his bedroom window open, Jim listened to Happy Birthday, Congratulations and a few of his favourites outside his home on Bolton Road, Ewood.

Sister-in-law Maud Aspin, who lives with him, said: "I'd been told to expect a surprise but I never expected this.

"He's a good clean living man who's never had a drink or smoke in his all of his life."

Tom, who had work commitments in his hometown of Liverpool, said: "He's a great guy. When I found out I couldn't make it I decided to do this. I couldn't let the day pass without a bit of fuss!

"He's a big fan of brass bands and living in a good old northern town like Blackburn I thought it was fitting."