MEMBERS of the Royal British Legion in Padiham are sounding the bugle to try to save this year's Remembrance Sunday parade by putting out an appeal for a band.

For almost 80 years, members have marched through the town accompanied by a full band.

Several different bands from as far afield as Stacksteads and Bacup have accompanied the old soldiers of Padiham but when it came to booking this year's band the ex-service men and women drew a blank.

One of those responsible for organising the march to the war memorial at the top of the town's Memorial Park is Frank Paget.

Frank, 77, served with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment and the Royal Armoured Corps for four years.

Frank said: "The parade has been going on ever since I can remember. Ever since there has been a Royal British Legion in Padiham, since the late 1920s.

"We are very disappointed that we may have to cancel. The church service will go ahead, but it would be a shame if we can't march with a band from the church to the war memorial.

"I have been involved in the parade for the past 17 years. We have had a variety of bands over the last few years, some have folded and some can't make it to this year's parade.

"Every year a service is held in one of Padiham's churches before the march to the war memorial. "So long as it is a band that we can march to, one that can play traditional military marching music, and providing that the pace is all right we will be OK."

The Royal British Legion of Padiham meet on the first Monday of every month at the Railway Hotel, Station Road at 8pm.

Anyone who knows of or is part of a band that could accompany the ex-service men and women of Padiham up to the war memorial can contact Frank on 01282 772735.