A TRADITIONAL New Orleans send-off is being planned for Bingley jazz drummer Brian Preston who has died after a short illness.

Tributes have been paid to Preston, who was an integral part of the famous Malcolm Webb's band that played in various venues in Bingley for nearly 50 years.

Webb, who died in June, began playing with his band at the King's Head in Main Street, but is best remembered for jazz sessions at the Brown Cow, where his band played for many years before moving to the Ryshworth Club in Crossflatts.

Preston also played with trumpeter Dennis Armstrong at the Changegate Bar in Haworth and with various parade bands at outdoor events.

Local jazz historian Colin Priestley said: "He was a good drummer and a character, part of a golden era of jazz in Bingley."

In his working life, Preston was a printer at the Bingley firm of T Harrison and Sons, who, at one time, published the Bingley Guardian newspaper.

His funeral will be held on Monday, October 10, with a service at Bingley United Reformed Church at 1.30pm, followed by cremation at Nab Wood, where a jazz band will parade in his honour.