BURY'S biggest park will be alive with the sound of music this weekend as a popular brass band take to its restored bandstand.

The world famous Besses o' th' Barn Band will perform at the Clarence Park bandstand on Sunday.

Featuring a light programme, the concert will be one of the first to take place at the bandstand in decades after large scale renovation work to restore the structure to its former glory.

Part of borough's extensive musical heritage, Clarence Park bandstand was opened on November 4 ,1899 ­— eleven years after the park, previously known as Walmersley Road Recreation Ground, opened to the public.

The stand was presented by JP Henry Whitehead and the owner of a Chesham sheet factory, Edmund Milnes.

In its early years, the bandstand was a popular performance space boasting regular concerts to entertain the public. However it later fell into disrepair.

Unwilling to let Bury residents go without part of its heritage, kind-hearted and determined resident, Marisa Dale, made it her mission since 1991 to restore than bandstand.

Earlier this year the renovation works were completed to both the stone base and canopy parts of the bandstand, thanks to Ms Dale's fundraising and efforts.

Ms Dale said she is delighted with the completed band stand, adding: "It's lovely. I'm just trying to encourage people to come and listen to the bands and bring families together."

The Besses o' th' barn Band concert will take place from 2pm on May 12.

Barrie Chappell, from Besses o' th' Barn Band, said: "I'm sure Besses o' th' Barn band will probably have played on the bandstand in its original state so we are privileged to do so again.

"And we wanted to support Marisa and thank her for all she has done for the bandstand and for Bury."