THE Forest's highest ranking brass band is brassed off as it faces homelessness.

Hyde Band, which was formed 120 years ago, desperately needs a permanent new home.

For the last 20 years has been using temporary bases, most recently the upper room at Elliots in Fordingbridge, but the clock is ticking and the band now needs to find a permanent base.

With 30 members of Hyde Band and about 20 in its Training Band, along with large instruments, uniforms and music, they take up a lot of room.

So the search is on for somewhere else the band can prepare for its award-winning performances.

Hyde Band, a registered charity, was given a patch of land in South Gorley about five years ago.

Their dreams of building a single-storey practice room on the concrete footings from the wartime army buildings, were shattered after the group was advised by the planning authority that it would be unlikely to get planning permission.

Secretary Sue Bennett told the Forest Journal that the situation is now becoming "desperate".

She said: "We desperately need a small space, available Monday and Friday evenings on a regular basis, and storage for a number of instruments, music library and uniforms. If anyone could help. we would be so grateful."

Chairman of Hyde Band Martin Easterbrook said: "Any assistance from our friends and the local community would be very gratefully received.

"If anyone knows of a village hall or school hall, unused barn, outbuilding, or any other possible location, please let us know."

Hyde Band was founded by "Bert" Shutler in 1895. He originally played in a Fife and Drum band based near Fordingbridge.

The band has scooped scores of accolades, most notably crowned West of England Regional Champions in the fourth, third, second and first sections, when the band was quickly promoted through the ranks in the 1990s.

Any offers to help the band find a new home may be sent to secretary@hydeband.co.uk or call the band secretary on 01425 654020.