Karl Colman was 12 years old when he joined the Bristol Unicorns marching band.

Twenty seven years later, Mr Colman, says it was his experiences as a member of the band that led him to a career as a Royal Marine and later as a police sergeant.

Mr Colman, who grew up in Stottbury Road, Horfield, is now inviting all past members and supporters of the Bristol Unicorns to a 30th anniversary celebration.

The band was formed in 1979 and became World Showband Champions in 1985, European Champions in 1989 and British Champions in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988.

The band folded in 1991 after the bandmaster, Dave Rogers, retired. A reunion in 2003 saw more than 500 people gather together.

This year, Mr Colman, who now lives in Exeter, Devon, hopes even more people will attend to toast the Bristol Unicorns' achievements, celebrate 30 years and remember old friends.

Mr Colman, 39, who is married to Melanie, started playing the trumpet at the age of eight with the 234th Northwinds Scout Band before joining the Bristol Unicorns in 1982. In 1984 he began to play the trombone and continued until the band finished in 1991.

Mr Colman said: "We came from all walks of life and from all over the city.

"It certainly wasn't an exclusive activity for privileged kids. Me and many others were raised on council estates in the city and were kept off the streets because we were part of the Bristol Unicorns.

"It was down to the encouragement of the bandmaster Dave Rogers and my experiences with the Bristol Unicorns that I decided to audition for the Royal Marines Band Service in 1991. I spent just over nine years in the Royal Marines and in 2000 I joined the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

"Undoubtedly, the discipline, motivation and the values I learnt with the Bristol Unicorns carried on into adult life."

One of Mr Colman's greatest memories is of the band winning the 1985 World Showband Championships in Kerkrade, Holland.

"I was only 15 at the time, but it still goes down as one of the most memorable events as well as one of the most remarkable achievements in my life," he added.

"I remember we had a frustrating week-long wait before being confirmed as the World Champions because the competition was held over three weeks.

"When we found out we'd won, members of the band, parents and supporters congregated at our headquarters to celebrate while Dave Rogers went back to Kerkrade to pick up the trophy. A couple of weeks later we embarked on a three-week tour of British Columbia, Canada."

Other memories include international travel to Canada, USA, Holland, Germany, Belgium and Ireland, as well as performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium for the Milk Cup Final.

The reunion will take place at the University of the West of England, Frenchay campus on Saturday, November 28, from 7pm.

Tickets are priced at £5 each. For tickets, contact Mr Colman at karl.mel@btinternet.com or see www.bristolunicorns.co.uk.