The conductor of the Brighouse and Rastrick Band is to be honoured for his services to the brass-band movement.

Allan Withington, the band's principal conductor, has been honoured by the Worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London and will receive the Iles Medal, awarded annually.

Allan has been the band's most successful conductor since its days under the baton of William Halliwell in the 1930s. Under his musical guidance, the Brighouse and Rastrick Band has scooped the European Brass Band Championship in 1988, the All England Masters Championships in 1993, 1998 and 2001, the National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain in 1997 and 1998 and the Yorkshire Regional title on two occasions.

Band general secretary Ian Dust said: "There isn't a member of the band who wouldn't give him 100 per cent and if he asked the players to jump through hoops for him, they would."

Allan, who lives in Norway, said: "I'm treated really well and the attitude and enthusiasm of the players keeps me there. They are optimistic and always want to knuckle down and do well."

He will receive his award at the British Open brass Band Championships at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on September 15.