Band brassed off over '˜sabotage'

Fraud investigators have been called in after a brass band were told three of their players were ineligible for a championship .

Action Fraud are looking into emails sent in the name of Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band musical director Andrew Whitaker.

The alleged fraudster told the Brass Band Players Registry that five of the band’s principal players wanted to cancel their place at the Yorkshire Area Brass Band Championship fourth section in Bradford earlier this month.

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Players must be registered two weeks prior to the regional heats. But before going on to win and qualify for the national finals in Cheltenham, Lofthouse were told three of its main players were ineligible.

Mr Whitaker said it was like “a John le Carré novel, not something from the sedate world of village brass bands, involving bogus email addresses, dishonest emails, falsification of official documents and distribution of fraudulent information.”

Regional secretary Peggy Tomlinson said: “The Yorkshire Regional Committee exonerate Lofthouse 2000 Band from any involvement in actions taken and false allegations made.”

The Outwood band said they do not know why someone tried to cancel registrations but described it as “sabotage.”

Contact the Action Fraud team on 0300 1232040.

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