The long wait to find a new home for Bedford Town Band is over - eight years after it was forced to leave its former base in Barkers Lane.

The band's official new residence will be at the Bunyan Meeting Rooms in Mill Street, Bedford.

The meeting rooms will also be the home of Progress Brass and Concert brass which also make up part of the town band's organisation.

Members are overjoyed with the facilities provided at the meeting rooms and its central location. The main hall is an excellent rehearsal space with superb acoustics and large enough for the 30 strong band.

The meeting rooms also provide storage space for the band's large music library and percussion instruments.

Bedford Town Band were forced to quit their rehearsal rooms in Bakers Lane, which they had used since the 1970s, following a noise abatement order issued in 2000.

The order was served after a complaint from a resident of a new home built next to the rehearsal room.

For the last eight years the band has struggled to find suitable venues to rehearse, relying on the goodwill of various schools and churches.

Bedford Town Band were established more than 112 years ago and has a proud record of community involvement, supporting civic occasions, charity events, representing the town abroad and helping hundreds of musicians of all ages to make music and contribute to the artistic and cultural life of the town.

Kevin Kavanagh, the band's manager, said: "We are both relieved and delighted that we have finally put this matter to rest. We hope this is the start of a long association with the Bunyan Meeting Rooms. The band is back where it belongs, in town and part of the community."