A UNIQUE collection of military band memorabilia looks set to be safeguarded for the future following an Argus appeal.

Last week, Newport widow Anne Gatehouse launched an appeal to find someone to help her set up a charitable trust to secure her late husband'd huge collection.

Within hours of the Argus appeal, Mrs Gatehouse was contacted by retired council worker Paul Williams, 59, from Undy, who offered to chair the Trust.

Mr Williams played the tuba in the famous British Army Blues and Royals band between 1963 and 1975.

And after meeting with Mrs Gatehouse, 67, he was delighted to find his own picture appears in the vast collection.

Mrs Gatehouse is currently keeping the massive horde of photographs, music and instruments from more than 1,800 bands around the world at her Newport home after it was moved from the Empire and Commonwealth Museum in Bristol last month.

Her late husband, Jerome Gatehouse, collected the items over more than 30 years before his death from heart disease, aged 49, in 1994.

Mrs Gatehouse said: "I'm delighted Paul contacted me. He contacted me before I'd even bought a copy of the Argus.

"We can move forward now, get the Trust set up and hopefully find a new home for the collection.

An enthusiastic Mr Williams added: "It must be looked after and put on display for people to come and see.

"It was great to see myself in there as well."