A ROSSENDALE band is to play in one of Europe's most historic cathedrals as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations.

The 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band will perform a concert inside Cologne Cathedral as part of their tour of Germany.

Musical director Graham Helm today said the band members were overjoyed when they received their invitation to perform in the cathedral, which dates back to the 13th Century.

He said: "The young people from the band were already excited about the tour and then came the invite to play in Cologne Cathedral; they are just thrilled to bits.

"To play in such magnificent surroundings in our 40th anniversary year just puts the icing on the cake for many of the players."

The band earlier this year played with the world-famous Black Dyke Band from Bradford.

They will fly to Germany on Friday and stay in Bocholt, Rawtenstall's twin town, for four nights, performing several concerts including a civic service at St Josef's Church.

Other performances will include a joint concert with Bokeltsen Brass in the hall of the Werner-von-Siemens-Realschule and an evening concert with MGV Sngerbund, Mnnergesangsverein Anholt and Kirchenchor Ss Ewaldi choirs in the Bocholter Brauhaus.

The band will enjoy a day of sightseeing before signing off their tour on Tuesday with a lunchtime concert at Cologne Cathedral.

The cathedral, a world heritage site, is the largest in Germany.

Building work started in 1248 and was not completed until 1880.