A WOODLEY-BASED band have recorded a song as a tribute to NHS workers on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic.

At this time of year, community music group Woodley Concert Band are usually gearing up for a busy summer season out and about around Berkshire.

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Most summers, the band are performing to people at village fetes, entertaining crowds at picturesque bandstands and helping other charities to raise money for worthwhile causes.

Due to the current pandemic and the lockdown, the band's rehearsals and performances have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

However, they were keen to stay in touch musically and have joined together (virtually) to record 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' in tribute to the staff in the NHS.

Band chairman Phil Graham said: "Recorded by 31 members of the band from their homes across Berkshire and beyond, we're really proud of this video.

"It's been tough not being able to rehearse together for the last couple of months and as a charity and community group, we'll miss our usual series of performances over the summer, both musically and financially.

"We've been doing our best to keep in touch with each other with a virtual bowling championship, quizzes and a sunflower growing competition but we wanted to say thank you to all the fantastic NHS heroes who we know are working so hard at the moment, so we've put together this video.

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"My daughter is a nurse at the Royal Surrey hospital so I'm only too aware of the herculean efforts that these amazing people are going to currently and we really hope that everyone will enjoy our little video, and that it brings a smile to a few faces!"