A FORMER police diver has taken a musical turn with his own brass instrument repair business.

Tony Playfoot, of Cowgill, near Sedbergh, has helped fix instruments owned by leading brass composer Arthur Butterworth and Bullseye TV host and comedian Jim Bowen.

He has also worked on gold-plated instruments owned by 1950s trumpeter Eddie Calvert, and American jazz pianist Leon Bismark, known as "Bix" Beiderbecke.

The 63-year-old, who plays the tuba, cornet and French horn, said his skills had seen him take on a whole host of quirky commissions.

“This is a job that has introduced me to all sorts of people.

“On one occasion I had a huge man walk up to me in Ulverston.

“I thought he was going to beat me up and then he asked me if I could fix his trumpet.

“I’ve worked on a bugle that was used by an Australian in the Battle of Gallipoli, and a cornet that played a part in the Crimean War for a client on the Isle of Man.”

His work for comedian Mr Bowen saw him repair two of the comedian’s trumpets.

The Bullseye host brought in some battered instruments, hoping that Tony could save them from the scrapheap.

Mr Playfoot said: “He called me up out of the blue and said his instruments were dented so I knocked them back into shape and added his initials in the style of his autobiography”

He is now a member of the National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers and performs repair work, and adds personalised messages, on everything from French horns and euphoniums to tubas.

Mr Playfoot’s business, AGP Brass Repairs, is in charge of maintaining instruments for Sedbergh School and the Sedbergh Town Band, which he plays for.

The amateur group take bookings across the country as well as performing locally for the people of Sedbergh, Dentdale and surrounding areas.

Mr Playfoot and the group will make their next performance on Sedbergh’s Main Street and bandstand, starting at 11am, this Saturday