Olympic ban a sour note with band

Mr Clifton's ostrich has been a big hit with the Olympic crowds

Members of the England football team's supporting band have been left disappointed after going to Beijing to support Britain's Olympic hopefuls.

The brass band, which livens up crowds at matches and other sporting events, has been told it cannot take its instruments into the Olympic stadium.

So the group has been entertaining people on Beijing's streets instead.

Entertainer Bernie Clifton has joined the band, playing the trombone, and said they were having a great time.

The band, led by John Hemmingham, is calling itself the Great Britain Band in Beijing.

'Pop star'

Mr Clifton, who presents an afternoon show for BBC Radio Sheffield, is well-known for his marathon running ostrich but has had to part with the bird while he watches the Olympic events.

He said: "The local people are absolutely beautiful and so friendly.

"One disappointment is that we have been unable to take the instruments into the stadium because there's a ban on musical instruments, flags and anything which is a threat to public order, and you could say that our instruments are exactly that.

"The ostrich also has to be left at security."

Mr Clifton, who lives in north Derbyshire, said: "The people here are absolutely amazing, you feel as if you are a pop star because they come around taking photos and wanting interviews.

"Everybody wants to chat and everybody wants to smile. I have never seen so many happy people."

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