The familiar sound of Soham Comrades Band has filled many halls and local communities since its birth in 1921.

But its original formation three years after the end of the First World War was not in the best of circumstances.

Following the loss of several Soham musicians who had fought during the war, it was decided to combine Soham Town Band with Soham Excelsior Band.

Now in its 87th year, the band is once again searching for new players to ensure the group can continue for another 80 years.

"They lost a lot of players during the war, which was enough to think about making the two bands into one," said secretary and cornet player Colin Smalley.

"It would have made a huge difference to them as in those days members would have been all Soham boys."

Many things have changed since the band first formed, including the locality of members.

Generations of local well-known faces have joined over the years, such as Fred Talbot (second left on back row), the band's original bandmaster, who was highly respected in the town.

Other players have included builder Arthur Human (fourth left on back row), whose grandson Ian runs Soham Joinery in Fordham Road, and Wallis Fordham (second left on front row).

"A lot of the older people in Soham will remember them," said Mr Smalley.

"Wallis Fordham was one of the regular players in the band when I first started playing about 40 years ago.