A BRASS band would have been the icing on the cake for Unsworth man Eddie Cocken's 90th birthday celebrations.

For Mr Cocken is the son-in-law of the founder of the famous Besses Boys Band, Tim Galloway. Alas, however, the band had a prior engagement and were unable to attend Mr Cocken's birthday bash at the Prestwich Conservative Club.

Mr Cocken, of Hunters Hill, celebrated his 90th birthday with a gathering of friends and family. Despite his family connection with the brass band, he was never a member.

He served in the Army for 18 years and for a number of years ran the popular Whitefield Conservative Club.