FOR the first time in decades the sound of music has returned to a Ramsbottom park.

In the glorious spring sunshine crowds eagerly gathered for an afternoon of excellent entertainment as Hazlehurst Brass Band and entertainer Lee Grant took to the restored Nuttall Park bandstand.

Hazlehurst Brass Band opened proceedings, led by their conductor Mark Golding, and the youngsters thoroughly thrilled the substantial audience of picnickers with brass classics and smattering of modern tunes to much applause.

After a short break Lee Grant wowed the crowd with a magical medley from the rock and roll of Bill Hayley through classic Queen and ELO numbers and beyond ­— which had the audience up on their feet, dancing and crying for more.

The event was held as part of the Friends of Nuttall Park's programme to raise funds to reinstate the bandstand and put back its ironwork and canopy.

Work to renovate the bandstand's stonework was completed earlier this year thanks to the work of Ramsbottom Heritage Society and a Bury Council grant.

The stage was constructed in 1929, a year after Colonel Austin Townsend Porritt donated the park to the people of Ramsbottom.

In its early years, it was used regularly as a performance space to entertain the public, however, its wrought iron structure was deemed unsafe and removed in the 1950s.

Concerts continued for a while but eventually the bandstand fell into disrepair until the present restoration works.

In support of the fundraising and to showcase the bandstand, the Friends of Nuttall Park together with Rammy Men will be holding a host of musical events throughout the summer.

The next concert will be Goodshaw Brass Band from 2pm to 4pm in June 9.

For more information on the concert visit friendsofnuttallpark.co.uk or rammymen.org.