Black Dyke has welcomed back a familiar face to their percussion team.

Anne Challinor, who first joined the Queensbury band in 2003, has returned to the famous red, gold and black, and made her first appearance at their recent sell-out concert in Durham last weekend.

Anne, who hails from Sunderland played with the Reg Vardy Band before studying at the RNCM in Manchester where she gained a BMus and Master's degree.

Welcome back

She has since enjoyed a successful professional career in the military, originally posted to the Grenadier Guards Band and then with the Band of the King's Division, based in Weeton, Lancashire as a Lance Corporal.

Black Dyke Director of Music, Prof. Nicholas Childs told 4BR: "We are delighted to welcome Anne back. Thanks to her professional Army career she has become a world class musician and will be an outstanding addition to our percussion team."

Thanks to her professional Army career she has become a world class musician and will be an outstanding addition to our percussion teamProf Nicholas Childs

Thrilled

In response Anne added: "I'm really thrilled to be back at Black Dyke once again.

It's lovely to see so many familiar faces and I look forward to performing with such a fantastic band once again."