A LONG-LOST trophy presented to Manea Silver Band in 1926 has been returned to the village ... after it was discovered for sale on eBay.

Chairman Nic Paine was astonished when a former band member stumbled upon the ancient cup while browsing the online auction site.

“It’s absolutely amazing that it turned up on eBay,” said Mr Paine. “We just had to buy it. It was too good an opportunity to miss.”

The band met the �125 “Buy it Now” price in order to bring the silver trophy back to Manea after 86 years.

The cup bears the inscription: “Manea Band, Contest Challenge Cup presented by Sir Hugh VHD Lucas-Tooth, Baronet, MP, 1926.”

Mr Paine said: “If we hadn’t moved quickly we would certainly never have seen it again, it might even have ended up being melted down.

“The cup has turned up at a time when Manea Silver Band is building in size and enjoying renewed local interest, and we almost feel like it is a good omen for the future.”

Manea Silver Band was founded in 1882 and was part of the golden age of brass bands that was linked to the Industrial Revolution. In its heyday, it was recognised as one of the best bands in Fenland.

Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth, mentioned in the inscription, was a Scottish baronet and MP for the Isle of Ely from 1924-1929.

The band’s extraordinary Internet purchase will be on display alongside a host of memorabilia at a special concert at St Nicolas’ Church, Manea, on April 28.

The concert will raise money for the church and for the Friends of Doddington Hospital - but band members also hope to “sweep away misconceptions about brass bands” by providing an array of modern and traditional music.

Tickets, priced at �3 and including wine and refreshments, are available by calling 01354 688179, 01354 688368 or 01354 688434. Children aged 12 and under go free. For more information visit www.maneaband.co.uk