SIR – Things are really looking up in Bradford. Our football team are putting the spotlight on the city with their positive actions.

Our newly promoted brass band bearing the city name also brought the attention to our city last Sunday by getting a very creditable result at their first attempt competing with the best bands in the land at the Yorkshire Brass Band Championships, gaining eighth place out of 13 with a brilliant performance.

They have also taken on a new challenge after salvaging the late Wilsden Band. In five months they have taken this band to the same championships where they became Yorkshire champions in the fourth section.

What is really surprising is the number of young players that are involved with both bands. It appears that a growing number of young Bradfordians have found out that it is more enjoyable to actually perform music than listen to it.

Now is the time for the people and businesses of Bradford to back our success stories. We know that unprecedented crowds are turning up at Valley Parade. Now is the time to assist our bands also. They will, I’m sure, be only too pleased to provide entertainment at corporate events or just to provide sheer entertainment.

Keith Rayner, Laburnum Drive, Baildon