Downton Band has enjoyed a busy festive period including three concerts, a carol service, a December wedding, a visit to a retirement home to entertain residents, and over 20 hours of carol playing across the local community.

Final session

However, the band is still gearing up for one final session of music making as players get ready to meet at 3.45am on Christmas morning to begin a three hour marathon stint of carol playing all across Downton village to welcome in the special day.

People from the village come outside and offer mince pies, chocolates, the odd glass or two of mulled wine and even a cooked breakfast! It's such a lovely traditionMD, Paul Williams

Tradition

Band MD Paul Williams told 4BR: "This tradition has been going on as long for at least a century.

Every Christmas Day the band gets up well before the crack of dawn, starts at one end of the village and plays two verses of a carol at every other lamppost as they play their way through the streets.

People from the village come outside and offer mince pies, chocolates, the odd glass or two of mulled wine and even a cooked breakfast! It's such a lovely tradition."