Band on the box

CHAMPIONSHIP performers Diggle Band last year celebrated 20 years since its revival

A CHAMPIONSHIP brass band from Diggle is set to premiere on prime time television tonight.

Diggle Band will have the limelight as the group stars on ITV Tonight, showcasing their musical skills and sharing their views on pensions.

Film crews descended on the band club in Huddersfield Road to interview three members and hear the band perform a selection of money-themed tunes.

Band conductor Steven Walsh said: "I think this is fantastic exposure for the band. It is also good experience for them as well.

"Generally we play live or record onto CDs so many of the members had not been recorded for both video and sound.

"To have a film crew there was an experience they thoroughly enjoyed."

Diggle Band, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, performed Money Money Money, I Need A Dollar, and If I Were A Rich Man for the programme after being asked to select some topical songs.

Footage from ITV's visit on April 15 will form part of a 30-minute show from 7.30pm tonight which looks at the safety of pensions.

Presenter Adam Shaw looks at how fraudulent scammers target around 11 million people every year in a bid to get hold of their pensions.

Cornet player Ruth Haas-Eckersley, an NHS worker from Switzerland, was one of three band members to be interviewed for the programme.

Tenor horn player Susan Keymer and euphonium player Andrew Stott are also set to feature on ITV Tonight as the show goes undercover to expose scammers.

Band secretary Kevin Cottam said: "The crews were filming shots of the club and surrounding area. This is good coverage for both the band and the village."

Mr Walsh added: "I think ITV wanted to get a community feel with regards to pensions and talk through how normal people felt their pensions were going, what their expectations were, and to discuss cold callers."