Texting slip leaves band brassed off

Rothwell Temperance Band had spent months practising for a prestigious Cup which they hoped to add to their impressive list of UK and European honours as well as scooping the £4,000 first prize.

But their plans fell apart when a member sent one of the judges, who was also a friend, a single text message leading up to the contest.

Strict rules meant bosses in charge of the Doctor Martin Charitable Trust Wainstones Cup had to remove them from the competition.

Judges at brass band performances are enclosed in a box so they cannot see the performers – allowing them to judge the contest solely on the music.

Organisers feared this single message could help the judges discover who was playing at a particular time.

Adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth received the compromising message from one of the band’s musicians days before the event.

He said: "We all have moments of madness in life. I know he is deeply regretful of it.”

In a statement on its website the band said it deeply regretted what happened and would like to apologise to everyone concerned.