WANTAGE Silver Band is hoping a 24-hour musical marathon will raise more than £1,000.

Up to 100 musicians took part in the challenge between Friday and Saturday night at the new Band Hall at Tugwell Field.

Wantage mayor Fiona Roper opened the event, which finished with a party.

The band, a registered charity which offers musical beginners the chance to learn an instrument, was raising money to pay off debts after the move.

Our top stories

The last time it attempted the challenge was 15 years ago.

Eileen Sykes, 70, has been a bandmaster for 30 years and said this year’s event was every bit as good as before.

She said: “I hope it brings in a lot of money and that everyone who turned up had a good time.

“We are still waiting to see how much money we raised but we hope to make more than £1,000.”

Herald Series:

Wantage town councillor Ben Mabbett, 20, played from 6.30pm on Friday to 3.30am on Saturday, before returning for the final two hours at 4.30 pm. Ben, above, said: “I played the trombone for over 11 hours and now my lips feel like lead.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.