Lesley Howie is feeling far from brassed off after being appointed the first female brass player in the 144-year history of the world famous Black Dyke Band.

At just 21, Lesley has joined the all-male team after wowing them with her musical ability at a rehearsal in the bandroom at Queensbury.

And, in a scene reminiscent of the hit film Brassed Off, they put her in straight at the top as a solo horn player.

Lesley, a student at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, said: "This was always my ambition to play in one of the top bands. I didn't think I would ever be playing with the Black Dyke."

She said she had been nervous about auditioning with the musicians, who have played on numerous film soundtracks and won many national competitions.

"But I really enjoyed it. I was overwhelmed just going to the rehearsal. It's the best opportunity I have had in my life."

Lesley, who originates from Ayrshire, began playing the tenor horn when she was ten.

There she studied under Sandy Smith, a former member of Black Dyke, who suggested she audition.

Lesley, like many other band members, will clock up a hefty mileage to and from home twice a week. She also has more than 40 concerts, festivals across Britain and tours to Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland to look forward to. She said: "There are still many all-male bands left like Brighouse and Raistrick. A lot of bands like to keep the tradition going." But Lesley is not fazed by being the lone woman in the band. "I am used to it because I have played in bands with all men and also mixed bands. It's probably more strange for them having a woman there."

She laughed off the comparison between her and Brassed Off actress Tara Fitzgerald, saying: "She's better looking!"

Band administrator Geoff Whiteley said there was never an all-male policy but because of the commitment of twice-weekly rehearsals, performances and tours, the smaller number of top-class women musicians often felt they could not leave families and jobs behind.

l The Black Dyke Band has been nominated to receive a Grammy Award for its recent album Reflected In Brass.

The band joined forces with world renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie to make the recording.

The Recording Academy, who will announce the winners at a ceremony in the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, nominated the album in the category of Best Classical Crossover Album. But the musicians will have to wait until February 24 to find out whether they have won.

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