A BAND which has benefitted from the Big Lottery Fund to the tune of £10,000 is starring in an online campaign to thank players.

St Andrew’s Bolton Pipes and Drums are starring in a clip that appears on the National Lottery’s website and social media channels.

The band, which formed on St Andrew’s day two years ago, are seen striking up Scotland the Brave, marching into Candy and Cards, in Ashburner Street and thanking a member of the public buying a ticket.

Band secretary Alec Bingham approaches then approaches a gobsmacked customer and says ‘Can I just say, on behalf of St Andrew’s Bolton Pipes and Drums, I’d like to thank you for buying a National Lottery ticket’.

The band is for older and more experience drummers and pipers, and concentrates on playing small venues in the community rather than being competitive.

Mr Bingham said the money had been used to buy uniforms, special light drums and harnesses and access to pipe band seminars.

He added: “It allows us to play in nurseries and schools and not have to worry about the fees, that’s what the lottery has done for us.”

James Harcourt at the Big Lottery Fund said: “We’re proud to be able to distribute National Lottery money to fantastic projects such as the St Andrew’s Bolton Pipes and Drums. Thanks to National Lottery players, groups like this across the UK are able to realise their ambitions and bring people together. The band is a much-loved part of the local community and it was great to watch them surprise the players who help to support them.”