Legendary tenor horn star Gordon Higginbottom and his wife Sylvia enjoyed a wonderful brass banding Christmas surprise this year.

Although they has been in contact with family and friends over the festive period, mobility issues meant that they had been confined to their home.

Ensemble greeting

However, on Wednesday (27th December) their doorbell rang, and the pair were greeted by the sound of an ensemble playing Christmas carols specially for them.

Gordon told 4BR that it was the best brass Christmas present they could have wished for.

"We have been involved in banding all our lives and enjoyed so many highs, but this was something else. It really was a wonderful, wonderful moment which we never thought would ever happen to us."

Spirit of Christmas

He added: "Coming to the door to see these six friends who had come form far and wide just to play for us was the warmest, most unbelievable experience of our lives.

Helen Varley, Colin Aspinall and four guys from the Army who delivered the best brass band Christmas greeting imaginable. We were speechless. It was a real honour. The spirit of Christmas came right to our doorstep!"