A BATON- TWIRLING youth group teeters on the brink of extinction.

The Wickford Youth Band and Majorettes has been running for more than 30 years and is determined not to fade away into the pages of history, despite dwindling numbers.

Chairman Alex Kerr, said the group had vowed to stay open until the last child leaves, although he's hoping it doesn't come to that.

Mr Kerr said: "It would be a terrible shame if the group had to close.

"It's been a great tradition in Wickford for the last 30 years and we'd really like to keep it going.

"They're a great bunch of kids instructed by an equally great bunch of dedicated volunteers, and we would all be devastated if we had to close."

The troupe, a military-style marching band with majorettes, is now down to seven band members and 15 majorettes - a far cry from their glory days when they had more than 60 members.

It's had to cancel two carnivals recently due to insufficient numbers.

Mr Kerr blamed computer games and television for tearing children away from the troupe. He explained: "There are so many distractions for kids these days.

"It seems they aren't interested in getting out and doing something physical.

"They would rather play their PlayStations."

Mr Kerr said the current members were aged between seven and 16, although children of all ages were welcome.

He told how the children had plenty of fun at practice and when performing.

He said: "It's good fun for them.

"All the kids involved enjoy themselves.

"You can see them smiling and laughing the whole time through training."

At the troupe's peak, it was called on to perform at several events and even appeared in a film clip with legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.

The group were contracted to appear at the shoot after Ringo's manager saw them rehearse and was so impressed, he organised them to perform in the "Stop And Take The Time To Smell The Roses" clip the next day.

All 59 children were given special permission to have time off from school and they performed without rehearsal at the shoot in Egham, in Surrey.

The clip was later shown on Top of the Pops and Swap Shop.

Mr Kerr explained the troupe had decided in order to return to its glory days, it needed to raise its profile and attract new members.

He said the troupe were booked to play at the Wickford carnival on the afternoon of September 15, and later that evening at a hot air balloon festival in Chelmsford.