SALISBURY MP and former tuba player Robert Key got to grips with a trumpet on Saturday, to mark the official opening of the refurbished band hall in Downton.

The hall has been redecorated and upgraded, so that it now conforms to the standards required to host Downton Community Pre-School during the day.

Downton Band came to the rescue of the pre-school when it was made homeless after building work at Downton School meant the permanent removal of the mobile classroom that had housed it for years.

Downton Primary School had hoped to provide accommodation but when this proved not viable the future of the pre-school looked bleak - until Downton Band stepped in.