A FAMILY has been honoured for services to Avon Bank Brass Band after clocking up almost 140 years between them.

Gordon Lane, his wife Sylvia, son Stephen and daughter Carole, were presented with an inscribed glass bowl for 139 years of service in total.

Friends of Avonbank Brass Band (FABB), the band's support group, made the presentation at a spring concert at Evesham Arts Centre.

Bass player Gordon Lane joined the band soon after it started and has 57 years service under his belt, his wife Sylvia was the band's treasurer for 32 years, his son, principal cornetist, Stephen has 26 years with the band, and daughter Carole, who plays horn, has 24 years.

And the tradition continues into a third generation with Carole's son, nine-year-old Robert, in the Avonbank training band, taught by Gordon and assisted by Stephen, and her five-year-old daughter Katie also showing interest.

Avonbank was formed in Evesham in 1948 as an offshoot of the local Methodist Church's youth club.

Funding from the National Lottery enabled Avonbank to open its own band room, named in memory of one of its founding member Mick Sharp.

FABB was formed in the summer of 1999 to support band players.

Avonbank Brass Band's next concert at Evesham Arts Centre is on Saturday, October 21.