Ninety year old, Leonard Andrews has been honoured with a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his voluntary service to brass bands that was released in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mr brass band

Leonard has been acknowledged for his selfless years of devotion and loyalty to brass players and is the father of Paul Andrews, who currently conducts Wire Brass in Warrington.

Speaking about his dad's recognition Paul told 4BR 'Obviously i'm a touch biased, but i'm absolutely delighted my father has had this honour bestowed upon him. He is known affectionately in the Warrington-area as 'Mr brass band' and for many is an unsung hero'.

There are so many players who have been under my dad's watchful eyes and ears over the years, I wouldn't know where to start, but many of them have progressed to playing in a number of well known bandsPaul Andrews

Quite a story

Paul also told 4BR that his father's involvement in bands and his teaching of young players wasn't the shortist of stories. 'During the 1960's, Warrington Youth Band was born and my father was very much the driving force behind it. There are so many players who have been under my dad's watchful eyes and ears over the years, I wouldn't know where to start, but many of them have progressed to playing in a number of well known bands down the years and i'm certain they'll be delighted when they discover the news'.

Claim to fame

According to Paul, Leonard's biggest claim to fame banding wise was taking the players on tours abroad to places like Malta, Vienna and Canada and whilst the youth band was never a contesting band like you'll see today, his imput has nevertheless 'left a huge impression on anyone taught by him'.

Warrington Youth Band changed its name around a decade ago to Warrington Brass and whilst Leonard Andrews has long since stepped down from his role with the band, he still has a blow with friends on a regular basis and is the President of Wire Brass.

The youngsters

The retired joiner and great-grandfather of nine who was interviewed on local radio on Saturday morning told the Independent newspaper that the award was 'as much for the youngsters as it is for me'.

Jenkins acclaimed

Joining Leonard Andrews MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List is Karl William Pamp Jenkins, well known for his compositions and arrangements who has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music.