A man who devoted more than half a century to brass bands has died.

Granville Parker, of Savile Close, Emley, played with many well-known bands in the Huddersfield area.

Mr Parker, 73, was also a member of the Huddersfield Brass Bands Association for much of his life.

He was born in Huddersfield on July 26, 1941, and lived in Emley most of his lfie.

He left school in 1955 and started work as an apprentice joiner at Tom Wainwright’s funeral directors’s business. But he soon left the company and went to work as a miner, spending many years working at the former Emley Moor colliery.

When he retired from the pits he became a part-time traffic warden working in the Huddersfield area.

Mr Parker was a talented musician and learned to play several instruments, including the euphonium, the baritone trombone and the double bass.

Over the years he played with several bands including Emley, Grange Moor and Frickley Colliery.

For several years he was also a member of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, where he played the double bass.

When he became ill, he continued to support the Emley Band.

Mr Parker, who was a divorcee, leaves a son Jeremy and three grandchidlren, Alicia, Sienna and David.

Away from music he was also a staunch supporter of the village football club in Emley and was a regular for years at the Welfare Ground.

His funeral will take place on January 7 at Crigglestone Crematorium and there will be a collection for Emley Brass Band and AFC Emley.