The organiser of a Rochdale jazz club which has featured live music since the 1970s is gearing up for visiting bands to strike up again.
Dubbed 'Jazz on Sunday' the club met at Newtown National Club in Castleton every two weeks until the coronavirus pandemic hit.
For Tony Sheldon, who has battled to keep the club going through various venue moves and financial difficulties, the gradual lifting of current lockdown restrictions cannot come soon enough.
"The bands who have played for us regularly and our loyal audience have - like most people - have missed live entertainment," he said.
"I'm actually hopeful there will be greater enthusiasm for coming out on Sunday evening and enjoying some fantastic live jazz.
"Live music is something which I think many of us took for granted before the pandemic, but we have really missed. It's like that old saying 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone'."
Tony, who celebrates his 82nd birthday when all lockdown restrictions are due to be lifted on June 21, has already been contacted by several bands keen to start gigging again.
Previous favourites at the Nixon Street club have included Martin Bennett's Old Green River Band, the Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band, and Frog and Henry from New Orleans.
Tony is waiting for the go-ahead from the Newtown National Club committee before he books any acts, but he says Martin Bennett and Greater Manchester band the Tame Valley Stompers will the first get booked.
And he appealed for the previously loyal following to return to the club to support live music.
"I'm just hoping they haven't got too used to sitting in on a Sunday night watching TV, instead of coming out to enjoy the atmosphere of a live gig."
