THE popular tradition of relaxing in the park to a background sound of a brass band playing has been revived in Worcester.

The city's popular Gheluvent and Cripplegate parks are hosting brass band events on alternate Sundays throughout the late spring and summer months, beginning with a musical performance by the Malvern Chase Band on Sunday at Cripplegate.

As the summer progresses, other bands to be features in both parks will include the Band of the Gloucestershire Constabulary, Forest of Dean Brass Band and the Bewdley Concert Band.

Parks were a popular venue for bands in days gone by and that is where many bandstands are found. They were created mostly by local authorities for the enjoyment of the public and to create places where people could relax. The first one was build in the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens in London in 1861.

Most fell into disrepair after the Second World War as more modern attractions such as television and cinema found favour. Between 1979 and 2001 more than half the 438 bandstands in historic parks across the country were demolished, vandalised or in a chronic state of disuse.

In the late 1990s the National Lottery and Heritage Lottery Fund invested in a restoration project and more than 80 bandstands were fully restored or replaced.

One of those was the bandstand in Gheluvent Park which was renovated in 2011 following a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Michelle Newell, community engagement supervisor at Worcester City Council said: "Worcester parks are the place to be this summer, providing free music, play opportunities and the chance to relax in stunningly beautiful surroundsins."

Performances will all last from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. A schedule of dates can be found on the bands in the park website.