SHE may play at grand concert halls around the globe but international trumpet player Alison Balsom will be returning to her roots this Christmas to entertain patients in Royston. Alison, 27, will rejoin Royston Town Band and visit Royston Hospital as wel

SHE may play at grand concert halls around the globe but international trumpet player Alison Balsom will be returning to her roots this Christmas to entertain patients in Royston.

Alison, 27, will rejoin Royston Town Band and visit Royston Hospital as well as care homes in the area.

She said: "I have been playing with the band since I was eight. Quite a few of us come back at Christmas and it's great - definitely part of Christmas for me."

Alison played with the band as a youngster after she was inspired to take up brass playing at Tannery Drift School.

Since then she has signed a three-disc contract with EMI and has won a Gramophone Award voted by ClassicFM listeners.

Alison has also been nominated for a newcomers' award by ITV's South Bank Show.