FIVE musicians who had not seen each other for more than 60 years after their band split have been reunited.

The five friends formed a dance band when they were all in their late teens called the Futurists, but it was disbanded with the onset of the Second World War.

The band was well-known in the town in the 1930s and played at venues in Darwen including the Criterion Dance Hall and the town baths.

And although the former band members all came back to live in Darwen after the war remarkably they never met up again until former band member Joe Lyon's 80th birthday party.

Eric Sharples of Hawkshaw Avenue, who played both the saxophone and violin, said: "We lost touch during the war years and that was the end of the band and when we were back living in Darwen our paths never crossed."

It was a chance remark by the son of Joe, who played trumpet, Steve, who was fitting carpet for Eric, which provided the link.

Joe's daughter Maureen Brooks of Wyre Crescent invited Eric to her father's 80th birthday at Darwen Football Club and Eric managed to contact the rest of the band members so they could all meet up on the night.

He tracked down Ted Townley, who also played saxophone and violin, drummer Claude Duckworth and pianist Stanley Greenwood and found they were all in fit health and thrilled to meet up at Joe's party.

He said: "I went knocking on doors and through the phone directory to find them."

Joe's 80th party was held at Darwen Football Club earlier this month and old pals Ted, 82, Eric, 80, Stan, 82, and Claude 81 were all there to greet him.

Eric said: "It's incredible that after 63 years we're alive and reasonably well."