City bagpipe blowers say their band is bucking a national trend which has seen a decline in young musicians, with many new recruits in training.

Bosses at the City of Norwich Pipe Band, which has previously led the Lord Mayor's Procession, say they are "lucky" to have a number of young children ready to pick up the pipes as the instrument's popularity declines nationally.

National reports have suggested the instrument is losing popularity with even the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust warning their instrument of choice is facing a “silent decline”.

Eastern Daily Press: City of Norwich Pipe Band in action outside the Tower of LondonCity of Norwich Pipe Band in action outside the Tower of London (Image: City of Norwich Pipe Band)

Pipe sargeant John Welton says the instrument is thriving in the Fine City but new members are always welcome, with a recent performance at the Royal Norfolk Show attracting interest from some younger pipers to be.

Eastern Daily Press: Pipe Sargeant John Welton in actionPipe Sargeant John Welton in action (Image: Newsquest)

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Mr Welton said: "There's always a need to get some more in.

"But we offer tuition for a number of young children who are really keen to pick up the bagpipes, we're doing our best and we're quite lucky to have that interest.

- You can watch the City of Norwich Pipe Band performing in Wymondham in 2022 in the video above, at an event celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

"Whenever we play at a big event, we always take our roadshow which has plenty of ways people can get into the instrument and learn a bit more.

Eastern Daily Press: Pipe Major Roger Bayes performing outside of the ForumPipe Major Roger Bayes performing outside of the Forum (Image: Newsquest)

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"We always get people coming up interested at these things. But as more of us get towards retirement there needs to be constant turnover."

The band has stopped leading the Lord Mayor's Procession due to organisational issues but is still "very active" with shows planned at a Caistor Lifeboat open day and a Desert Rats memorial.

Eastern Daily Press: City of Norwich Pipe Band in action in WymondhamCity of Norwich Pipe Band in action in Wymondham (Image: Newsquest)

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They have even performed at events in mainland Europe including in Belgium and Berlin.

Mr Welton added: "It was great leading the procession out, which we did a number of times.

"But in recent years the way they wanted to do it just didn't really suit us given some of our members are getting old now."