Staff and students at a Sutton school were “over the moon” yesterday after ‘winning’ £50,000 of lottery cash to set up a brass band.

The headteacher of Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School paid tribute to the massive support that helped it win a TV vote.

Fiona Beetles said: “We’re overwhelmed by the support of the school community and beyond, and we can’t wait to get started.

“We’ll start planning the band in the next couple of weeks, and it will begin in January.”

The school spearheaded the Sutton’s Got Brass project, which on Monday evening took part in the annual People’s Millions TV show.

The project went head-to-head against Ryedale Folk Museum on the ITV Yorkshire North news programme, and won the public vote.

The prize was £49,990, which will be used to establish a brass band open to both pupils and members of the wider community.

A total of 15 staff members and all the children in year 4 are already learning a brass instrument, and many of the youngsters have spoken about their enthusiasm for getting the chance to become part of a brass band.

Mrs Beetles said the band will be based at the school, but she stressed membership will be open to people of all ages.

She added: “It’s been born out of the fact we have new players – both pupils and staff – in the school.

“A lot of support has come from people who used to be in brass bands. Playing is part of the musical heritage of our area.

“We hope the band will become self-sustaining.”

Mrs Beetles now wants to hear from people interested in joining the band, whether or not they have played before.

Big Lottery Fund chief executive Dawn Austwick said: “This is a brilliant result for the people of Sutton-in-Craven, and shows what groups can achieve when they have the support of their community behind them.”

Anyone interested in joining the new Sutton band, whether to play or help, should visit the school’s website wherelearnersgrow.co.uk website for further information.