MUSICALLY-minded youngsters in Alvechurch, Wythall, Beoley and Tardebigge are being encouraged to start the new year with a bang by joining a samba band, writes Melina Cannon.

The band, called Someone at the Door, and Bromsgrove Council's leisure services have joined forces to recruit newcomers to samba music.

Four workshops will be held this month as part of the drive, three of which take place in the evenings and will be run by members of the band.

The fourth, a day-long event, will be led by Rav Jayasuriya, the UK's leading tutor and samba expert.

Bromsgrove Council's art development officer Huw Moseley said Someone at the Door, which played more than 20 public performances in 2000, had become one of the area's most popular and colourful attractions at festivals and carnivals.

The band is also keen to set up a dance section.

The course costs £15 for adults and £10 for young people and the unemployed. For details, call 881381.