An acclaimed broadcaster could think of ‘nothing better’ when Sidmouth Town Band (STB) asked him to compére its Last Night of the Proms concert on Saturday.

Jeremy Vine had opened the 1st Sid Vale Scouts’ new HQ at Salcombe Recreational Field earlier in the day (see page 29) - and proudly wrote online of both experiences.

The Radio 2 presenter blogged: “When STB asked me to compére their Last Night of the Proms, I very happily said, ‘yes, of course! I can think of nothing better.’

“The band were brilliant, musical director Adrian Harvey a wonder, the music very powerful and I felt total love coming back at us from the crowd.”

He also gave a ‘big thumbs up’ to 18-year-old Jerome Blackburn, who wowed the crowd on his xylophone.

Jeremy added: “It was an honour to be there [to open the scout centre] and I congratulate Brian Manwaring, especially for having the vision to see the project through to its impressive completion. I wish both scouts and brass banders huge success!

“STB may yet become one of the top half-dozen in the country. We are crossing our fingers for the national finals in September.

“And as for Sidmouth itself — the sea, the Agatha Christie-style hotel fronts on the promenade, fish and chips at the White Horse — I totally love the place. I’m not local, but I kind of want to be.”