GREAT Yarmouth Hippodrome will play host to the biggest brass band ever seen in the town when the Norfolk and Anglia Fellowship bands of the Salvation Army combine for a concert to raise funds for the annual Christmas Toys and Tins appeal.

GREAT Yarmouth Hippodrome will play host to the biggest brass band ever seen in the town when the Norfolk and Anglia Fellowship bands of the Salvation Army combine for a concert to raise funds for the annual Christmas Toys and Tins appeal.

“It won't exactly be 76 trombones - but it will be over 70 musicians coming together in the ring,” said Tony Mallion, who has organised the concert as part of this year's appeal which is jointly run by BBC Radio Norfolk and the Salvation Army.

“One top brass band produces the most spine-tingling sound - but to put two together will be something very, very special,” said Tony, who will also compere the evening on Friday, November 6.

The concert's called “The Best of British” and will be a musical journey round the British Isles. It will round off with a Last Night of the Proms type finale with the audience joining in for favourites “Rule Britannia” and “Jerusalem”.

With the evening so close to Remembrance Sunday this will also be marked. The programme will open with “The Dambusters” march.

BBC Radio Norfolk and the Salvation Army have teamed up together for the Toys and Tins appeal for almost 30 years. Listeners donate non perishable foods and new toys and other gifts but it also costs around �12,000 to provide the parcels which are mostly prepared by volunteers working at a central depot at the start of December.

Tickets for the Best of British Concert on Friday, November 6 at Great Yarmouth Hippodrome (7.30pm) are �6 and available from the Hippodrome Box Office on 01493-844172 or online at bookings.yarmouthhippodrome.co.uk