Police band at 9/11 anniversary

Band members are travelling at their own expense

The West Yorkshire Police Band is to play in New York on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 World Trade Center atrocity.

Some 25 members of the force band will fly out to New York on 9 September.

They are going in their own time and at their own expense but have received some sponsorship from local businesses.

They will play at a church service on 10 September, the anniversary memorial on 11 September and at a gala dinner on the following evening.

The hour-long service on the site of the British Memorial Garden in Manhattan will also feature music from the choir of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle and the New York Scottish Pipes and Drums Band.

67 Britons remembered

Band Manager Keith Williams said: "It is a great honour and a privilege for the band to be invited to play in New York on the anniversary of 9/11.

"The service will allow us to pay our own respects to the 67 Britons who died on that terrible day five years ago and we will ensure that our performance does the service and the force proud."

The band comprises serving and retired officers, civilian police staff and members of the public.

Police bands have entertained the public in West Yorkshire for more than a century.

Bradford City Police Band was formed in 1899, with Leeds City following some 15 years later.

In 1974, the Leeds and Bradford forces amalgamated to form the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police, and both bands merged at that time to become the West Yorkshire Police Band.