THE Aldbourne Band is kicking off the year with two concerts that will help mark major milestones.

The first concert will be the band's 56th annual trip to the Immanuel United Reformed Church in Swindon as part of celebrations for the church's 80th anniversary.

The concert will include a guest performance from the church's own choir, led by Geoff Gleed.

It starts at 7pm on Saturday January 26. Tickets cost £10 per adult and under-16s get free entry.

A spokesman for the band said: "The Immanuel URC concert promises to be a fantastic musical delight and a great start to our year.

"We will be joining forces with another magnificent choir at our second concert."

This will follow a week later in the abbey at Dorchester-On-Thames, Oxfordshire on February 2 from 7.30pm.

The Gold and Brass concert at Dorchester Abbey will see the Aldbourne Band teaming up with the Reading Phoenix Choir, led by Christopher Ham and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a special season of commemorative concerts.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and, again, under-16s get free entry. Tickets can be bought on the door or from readingpheonixchoir.com/tickets

The Aldbourne Band will be led at both concerts by its conductor Glyn Williams, a leading international brass soloist, conductor and adjudicator who is the current Solo Euphonium of the world famous Cory Band.

More information about these and other events which will can be found on the band's website, www.aldbourneband.org.uk.