Royal Buckley Town has announced that Leyland Band's principal cornet player John Doyle will be taking the baton with the North Walians at this year’s Welsh Area contest in Swansea.

Exciting

John told 4BR: "As one of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's closest friends, he asked me if I would be interested in conducting Buckley as he had a clash with his school. Without a second thought, I accepted the invitation. Not only is Buckley an exciting set of musicians to work with but they are newly promoted to the Second Section. I couldn't think of a more fitting outfit to make my debut at the Welsh area with."

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We are looking forward to working with John in the coming weeks."