FOLLOWERS of popular local traditional jazz group The Pendle Jazzmen will be saddened to learn that their three-year residency at the Holden Arms comes to an end tonight.

New tenants at the pub, in Grane Road, Haslingden, have decided to restyle the interior as a tapas restaurant and cater for a younger age group.

So the veteran jazzers will have to pick up their instruments and walk.

Drummer Colin Mason, leader and publicist for the Pendle Jazzmen, is very much hoping that all friends and supporters of the band, and anyone interested in the furtherance of 'live' music, particularly jazz, will attend tonight's farewell concert at the Holden Arms.

He is hoping to announce alternative arrangements and possibly a new venue.

The band's other residency, at The Whitchaff on Bury Road, Rawtenstall, where they appear on the second and fourth Friday of each month, is not affected.

And their diary of engagements, liberally sprinkled with gig dates, indicates that interest in the Pendle Jazzmen is as strong as ever.

Sales of their recently released CD, which combines part of a live concert with a studio session, are going well, says Mr Mason.