MUSICIANS are tuning up for a charity concert in Stourport in memory of two talented players who died from cancer.

Stourport-on-Severn Brass Band will play on Sunday May 10 in tribute to Eric Handford and Paul Hathaway by raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Band secretary Roland Deakin said they were “thrilled” to be putting on Beat it with Brass at Stourport Manor Hotel at 3pm.

The band has supported the charity’s Wyre Forest committee for several years and Mr Deakin said a concert combining a tribute to the men who finished their playing careers before losing their own battles with cancer was “the natural thing to do”.

He added: "Both Eric Handford on tuba and Paul Hathaway on the soprano cornet were lovely men and fantastic players.

“They both made a wonderful contribution to brass playing in the Midlands and Stourport-on-Severn Brass band was privileged to have them in its ranks.

“Eric and Paul played together in the Langley Band too. Paul was also a stalwart of the West Mercia Police band, and Eric of the Staffordshire band before joining us for all too short a time."

Stourport-on-Severn Brass Band is enjoying success under its dynamic and ambitious musical director Oli Wilson.

He said: “We've got a great new rehearsal room at Stourport Sports Club and the band crowned my first year as MD by being invited to play in the Fourth Section of the National Championships, in Cheltenham, last September.

“This year we've gone one better and gained promotion to the Third Section.

“It's great to be the MD of such a full and committed band.”

Mr Wilson is also principal baritone horn of the Langley Band, making the charity concert all the more poignant.

Tickets, priced £10, are available from John Beard, Bridge Street, Kidderminster, Worley Strings and Things, York Street, Stourport, Chris Dale on 01562 745110 or Jean Morgan on 01562 823825.