There has been a continued renaissance in both the contesting and media fortunes of Besses o' th' Barn Band recently.

In addition to their victory at the Buxton Contest, the band even gained a name check on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show, who called them 'one of the great musical gifts to the world'.

Manchester feature

It came during a feature on the government's plans to make Manchester one of the 'powers of the north' — and why the city was according to presenter Alison Butterworth was a great place to live and work.

Alison reeled off the list of musical 'greats' — which included the Stone Roses; the Hollies; the Bee Gees; the Smiths and Besses o' th' Barn Band4BR

Musical greats

Alison reeled off the list of musical 'greats'- which included the Stone Roses; the Hollies; the Bee Gees; the Smiths and Besses o' th' Barn Band.

Not bad company to keep in anyone's book.