THESE three girls were among the most promising young musicians in Oxfordshire.

Alison Webb, and sisters Marilyn and Elaine Wolff played in the City of Oxford Silver Band. They were so keen to improve their skills that they regularly attended training courses run by the National Youth Brass Band near Rugby.

When this picture was taken in 1978, Marilyn, 18, and Elaine, 17, of Divinity Road, Oxford, and Alison, 16, of South Avenue, Abingdon, were preparing to take part in the latest of the twice-yearly courses.

The influence of father Frank Wolff, the band secretary, helped get Marilyn, a tenor horn player, and cornet playing Elaine interested in music – they had started playing at the age of four. Alison played the flugel horn.