A FORMER world champion police pipe band has become the first to disband ahead of next year's abolition of Scotland's independent police forces.
The Pipes and Drums of Central Scotland Police announced yesterday it had disbanded and reformed as a civilian band, and will no longer be considered a police pipe band.
The band, which was one of eight police pipe bands, has renamed itself the Bannockburn and District Pipe Band.
It is not yet clear what is planned for the remaining police pipe bands, including the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band which is regarded as one of the premier pipe bands in Scotland.
The Central Scotland Police band, formed in 2006, has more than 30 members and in 2008 was crowned World Champion, British Champion and Champion of Champions at Grade 3B.
The band, now Grade 3A, consists of police and civilian members.
A spokesman for the Central Scotland Police band said: "With the single force coming into being next year the decision was made that we would reorganise ahead of this to ensure minimal confusion.
"We are extremely proud to have been the pipe band of Central Scotland Police and we look forward to enhancing and building on the talent already in the band."
Scotland's eight independent police forces will be merged into a single force in April under reforms pushed through by the SNP Government.
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