As the Royal British Legion celebrates its 90th anniversary its Central Band is centre stage, but few realises it was formed from a home guard unit in Epsom during World War 2.

The 60-strong band was founded by a group of ex-servicemen at a Royal British Legion Club in Epsom in 1944 from recently disbanded members of the 56th Surrey Battalion Home Guard.

Since its formation the band has entertained hundreds of thousands of people at venues across the UK and Europe.

And one of its original members is still playing in the band 67 years after it started.

David Lawrence, 84, from Sanderstead, was just 13 when he joined the new band thanks to his father, an acclaimed clarinettist and band member, who taught David to play.

Mr Lawrence, who lived in Epsom for 20 years, said: “I was only a lad but they used to practice outside and I could hear them from where we lived and I was determined that I would be a part of that.

“I was completely awe struck because they were all very experienced musicians.

“Two local aldermen were very helpful in getting us started because they gave us a magnificent loan of £50 to get us moving.

“We had to pay it back which eventually we did.”

After two decades in West Street, Epsom, the band moved to Norbury in 1964 at the request of the British Legion HQ who wanted its band based in London.

In 1983 the band won the title of the Legion’s National Band renamed three years later as the Central Band of the Royal British Legion.

Mr Lawrence said: “All the legion’s bands competed and we won hands down.

“We didn’t get there by chance and we had to work for it.”

Mr Lawrence still attends the bands weekly rehearsals in Norbury and is their longest serving member.

He said: “It’s been a big part of my life.

“I also do a lot of musical arrangements for the band which is something I picked up when I was in the RAF and now I’m retired I find playing with the band complete therapy.

“You just switch off and enjoy yourself.

“My wife died two years ago and if it hadn’t been for the band I don’t think it would be ticking over as well as I am.”

The band will be performing a concert on November 13 at the Epsom Playhouse in honour of the British Legion’s 90th anniversary.

For more information visit epsomplayhouse.co.uk or centralband.com