The Black Dyke Band is to receive a letter from the University of Cambridge – but it won’t be able to open it for 100 years.

The Queensbury-based band has been selected to receive a “Letter to the Future” from a representative of the university as part of plans to celebrate its 800th anniversary.

A total of 800 letters, which will be stored in archives at the University Library, are to be sent to organisations, including The Black Dyke Band, for representatives to open in 2109.

Dr Cynthia Lampert Moore, of the university, contacted the band, which this month won the British championship for a record 22nd time, to say she would like to present it with a letter.

Band secretary Mike Shenton said: “It is a fantastic honour. Something really unique, completely different – and it is nice to be associated with these events, which are being held as part of their 800th celebrations.”

Each receiver of a letter will be handed a signed and numbered certificate, to pass down through the generations over the course of the next 100 years. In 2109 the certificate will be used as a key to retrieve the letter from the storage.

The band will frame the certificate in the band room, where it will be kept until the then band leader uses it to retrieve the letter.

The certificate will be presented to principal conductor Dr Nicholas Childs at their concert in Selby Abbey on Saturday, November 21.