PENDLE Jazzmen's loyal band of supporters are on a high note now that they can hear their favourite music more often.

After their regular Friday night slot at the Holden Arms pub in Haslingden was cut to just one a month, the performers' fans -- who had followed them for three years -- were left disappointed.

But the new couple running the Grane Road pub -- Brian and Norma Currie -- have invited the band, who have been together for 16 years, to play on two Fridays each month and has secured the slots with funding from the pub's brewery Wolverhampton and Dudley, from the Midlands.

Band administrator Colin Mason said: "After the band's reputation for never missing an appearance, some of our followers were finding it difficult to keep up with us. They would turn up only to find we were not there."

Late last year band administrator Colin Mason was informed by the landlord at the time that the players were having their musical evenings cut to just one a month. It was believed he was not keen on that type of music and wanted to introduce other artists.

But t The loss of the regular slots meant the supporters were confused.

"After the band's reputation for never missing an appearance, some of our followers were finding it difficult to keep up with us. They would turn up only to find we were not there," said Colin. But good news reached the ears of the maestros recently when new landlords moved in.

Brian and Norma, who came to the pub two months ago, were keen to reinstate the band

"We know the band has a good following and would like to have them back each week, but it depends on the brewery. Hopefully the situation will be reviewed soon and additional financial support can be provided," said Norma.

In the meantime, the Pendle Jazzmen -- made up of trumpet, trombone, clarinet, alt saxophone, guitar, banjo, double bass and drums -- is making the most of what it has and has issued a list of musical dates at the pub until March. They are January 5 and 19, February 2 and 16, and March 2 and 16. Each of the appearances will feature a special guest on trumpet. The band also has public appearances booked at Burnley Mechanics and St. Bede's, Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley, in January and March.