MUSICIANS are brassed off about being axed from the Dorchester Show for the first time in 30 years.

The Durnovaria Silver Band - a familiar sight at civic and charity events - has been snubbed in favour of different acts like the New Forest Plonkers, who are cheaper to hire.

Members of the prestigious group attacked show organisers for replacing their concerts with The New Forest Plonkers, who perform drinking songs, including Brand New Combine Harvester, using the tea chest, washboard and spoons.

Outraged ex-town mayor Colin Lucas, 68, of Firtree Close in old Poundbury, has played tuba in the Durnovaria Silver Band for 25 years.

He said: "This is a kick in the teeth - we have played the Dorchester show for as long as I can remember and I object to bands outside the county taking over that spot.

"The Durnovaria Silver Band is an institution, how can it be the Dorchester Show without a Dorchester band?"

Also the president of Dorchester's Rotary Club and Lbbecke Society, Mr Lucas added: "Normally we are booked to do five stints - three on the Saturday and two on the Sunday.

"We have not been able to take on other engagements because we always kept that weekend free for the show and were stunned to find out we were not booked."

But show secretary Samantha Shaw, of the Dorchester Agricultural Society, said: "It was a bit of a presumption to think that we would book them.

"After 30 years, maybe it is time for a change and we thought we would like something completely different.

"The New Forest Plonkers are a traditional agricultural band, which is completely in keeping with the show.

"The Durnovaria Silver Band is quite expensive - they invoiced us £600 for the last weekend - and we have a marching band and a church band playing, so that kind of music is already covered.

"The Plonkers costs £250 to play on Saturday, and on Sunday we also have a steel band playing calypso and Caribbean tunes.

"We thought we would like a different kind of music to appeal to a wider audience.

"Maybe if there's money in the budget next year we'll bring the silver band back."

But Mr Lucas responded: "We always left it to Dorchester Show to put in a donation - they could pay less if they wanted to, but never gave us a chance to negotiate a fee this time."

The New Forest Plonkers are Dopey Don, Mucker Mike, Lord Hayrick, Crafty Clive the Chicken-Catcher, Rough Rex, Farmer Blobby and Lady Muck-Spreader.

Spokesman Gerry Rickman said: "We are delighted to be at the Dorchester show this year - we did not intend for our presence to cause any upset.

"We are just a fun group trying to provide entertainment."

The Plonkers are currently locked in a dispute with former band members over ownership of the name.