The Longridge Band has returned to the North West following a poignant trip to Ypres in Belgium during which they performed at 'The Last Post' ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

Eighteen members of the band, together with family and supporters from the town of Longridge, spent five days visiting the battlefields and memorials of Belgium and Northern France.

The performance at the Menin Gate, which was unveiled in 1927, and which hosts a ceremony each evening at 8.00pm which is attended by families and visitors from across the world.

Two players

Prior to the trip, they researched two former Longridge bandsmen who lost their lives in the First World War — cornet players Richard Wallbank and Joseph Sharples.

The current members of the band were able to pay their own tribute to the two bandsmen at their final resting place, playing hymns and 'Last Post' at the Canada Farm and Armentieres memorials.