BEXLEY musicians will be among 300 youngsters taking to the streets next month as the massed bands of the Boys' and Girls' Brigades launch the Golden Jubilee celebrations with a march through Woolwich.

Three marching bands, with around 150 musicians, will be taking part in the event on March 3.

They will be joined a by a colour party carrying flags and a marching contingent.

The largest band will be the Boys' and Girls' Brigade London Massed Band which has members from all over the capital.

It headed a parade in Disneyland Paris last year and is off to Holland this year for another event.

They will be joined by the Boys' Brigade West Kent Band, which takes its members from Bexley and Eltham, and the London Steadfast Association Bugle Band, formed by past brigade members, officers and supporters.

The parade is expected to be about half-a-mile long and roads have been closed off for the event.

It begins at 10.15am from the Old Royal Military Academy in Red Lion Lane, Woolwich, through Herbert and Sandy Hill Roads.

After a church service, it will leave Woolwich New Road at noon and head to Red Lion Lane via Grand Depot Road and Woolwich Common Road.

Spokesman for the Massed London Band, Richard Jones said: "It is not often we get the chance to see marching bands on British streets anymore, so we are hoping lots of people will turn out to watch and wave flags."

The bands are always looking for new members, aged from 10, who get free music tuition and the chance to tour with the bands abroad.