IT is a sound more commonly heard in the mountains of Switzerland.

But thanks to a musically-minded couple, the haunting call of the Alphorn is regularly filling the air in Bolton.

Helen and Neil Grundy, who are both professional musicians, fell in love with the instrument when they visited Switzerland in 1987.

They have been back to the country numerous times since and started playing at folk festivals in Switzerland in 1992.

This year they decided to buy their own 14ft instruments and can be seen entertaining people at Jumbles Country Park on fine days.

Any money they make from their performances is donated to the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.

Mrs Grundy, from Tottington, who works as a part time music teacher, said: "We love playing the Alphorns, and do it for our own enjoyment as well as to entertain other people.

"Any money donated is given to the Mountain Rescue because we love walking and the instrument is traditionally played on the mountains so it's very appropriate."

The wooden instruments, which produce a haunting mellow sound, are carved from solid softwood, generally spruce but sometimes pine. Mrs Grundy said she only knows of three other people in the UK who play the Alphorn.

The couple, who are professional French horn players, met at the Royal Manchester College of Music in 1968 and both had wanted to play the Alphorn since they were teenagers.

Mrs Grundy added: "This has been a lifelong ambition for both of us. I think it was the book Heidi which inspired me."

Karen Taylor is the manager at Jumbles cafe and she admires the couple's music. She said: "They have been coming here for about four months and have become quite an attraction."

Garry Rhodes from Bolton Mountain Rescue said: It is original way to raise money and we are very grateful."

Did you know?

  • The Alphorn is featured in Ricola's cough drop commercials
  • They range in length from 10.6 feet to 14 feet
  • Due to its conical bore the Alphorn produces a mellow, and reverberant sound that can carry for long distances
  • The early instruments were used to signal warnings often for military use, but in the mountainous area of the Alps, it was more commonly used to announce daily activities