WINGATES band is celebrating 100 years of recording music by releasing an commemorative CD album of songs which span its impressive history.

The band, now in its 143rd year, has recorded the 12-song record featuring tracks which date back to its first release a century ago.

In addition to the album, band president David Kaye — who authored the band's definitive history, From Bible Class to World Class, to mark the band's 140th Anniversary in 2013 — is compiling an illustrated brochure and comprehensive discography to accompany the release.

The band's first gramophone record was released in April 2015 during the First World War.

Mr Kaye said: "It is more than a bit surprising when you think about it — you would have thought the last thing anyone would be doing during a war would be recording a brass band.

"The release was recorded by Regal Records, a budget label of Columbia Records, which is still going to this day. Back then music was recorded on cylinders and discs, and the records were made of fragile shellac, before vinyl records were created in the 1950s."

A world-renowned composer gave the band the platform it needed to reach where they are today.

Mr Kaye said: "Our first album featured a song called Punchinello which was written by a composer called William Rimmer, who helped put Wingates' name on the map by bringing us to victory at two national contests. In football terms, he was the Alex Fergusson of composers.

"On the other side was a delightfully named song called The Elephants Marched Around. The band made a total of eight discs, 16 songs in total, and they each sold for one shilling and sixpence — seven and a half pence in today's money."

Wingates will launch the CD album and supporting publication at a concert at St Bartholomew's Parish Church in Westhoughton, on Saturday, October 24.

Mr Kaye said: "In June we did two marathon recordings at St James' Church in Westhoughton. Our first and most recent albums are 100 years apart, but they were both recorded in our hometown.

"On the new CD, which we will officially launch in October, there will be 10 songs picked from the last century, and two newly commissioned tracks — all recorded using the latest technology."

For further details about the concert, contact David Kaye on 01204 696984 or email dkaye43@btinternet.com.