PEEBLES Burgh Silver Band have appointed a new musical director.

David McAuley will join the group immediately after the Borders Entertainment contest on November 2.

McAuley has previously conducted West Calder Band and been a guest conductor for the Penicuik, MacTaggart Scott and Dunfermline bands.

He started playing trombone aged eight with West Calder Public Band and has played with several bands including Newtongrange, Lochgelly and Newmains.

McAuley said: “I’m greatly looking forward to working with such a hardworking and ambitious band as Peebles Burgh.”

The Silver Band has a busy few months ahead with one of McAuley’s first tasks being to select a Christmas Concert programme and prepare the band for their concert at The Burgh Hall on Friday, December 13.

The concert will be the first performance of the pBuzzers group – a group of eight youngsters.

The Kingsland Primary School choir will also join the concert.

Tickets are £6 and £4 for children under 12 and available from band members or on the door.

The band will attend the Borders Entertainment Contest on November 2, hosted at The Memorial Hall, Innerleithen.

Tickets are £5, children free, can be purchased on the door.

On Sunday, November 10, the group will take part in the annual Remembrance Service in The Quadrangle.

The Peebles Burgh Silver Band annual Prize draw will take place on December 14, with tickets available from band members at the Christmas Concert.