The news reported on 4BR that the City of Bristol Band had perhaps become the first band in the world to start Christmas carolling has led to something of a challenge from Torbay Band.

Record

Chairman David Wilkinson told 4BR: "Congratulations to City of Bristol for their early one day start to carolling this year. However, we here at Torbay still believe that we hold the record for the earliest official start to Christmas playing and the longest time spent carolling."

Earlier

He added: "We have asked before if any other bands start earlier than us and finish later but to date no one has been able to beat us.

We used to start in September but we now start the first week of October and go through to the 31st December, whilst our street carol playing starts at the end of November and finishes on Christmas Eve."

We have asked before if any other bands start earlier than us and finish later but to date no one has been able to beat usDavid Wilkinson

Challenge

With a dollop of early festive pride he added: "So is there any other band out there that can better that?"