THE traditional mixed with the modern last week as the presumed youngest band in Britain played at what is believed to be the oldest pub, a moment its landlord described as “magical”.

Fledgling band The Black Tigers, of Abbey School in St Albans, performed for the first time on Friday to a heaving audience at the Fighting Cocks near Verulamium Park.

Proving they could match the long-standing musical greats and that age is just a number, the band – aged seven to nine – spanned a plethora of hits from iconic musicians, including We Will Rock You, I Love Rock and Roll, and Sweet Child o’ Mine.

Lead singer Asha Banks, nine, who has performed in a West End version of Les Miserables, said: “This is so different from doing a musical but I absolutely love singing in a rock band, it’s so much fun. Rock music is my favourite to sing.”

Fellow bandmate and bassist Joejoe Colman, also nine, said: “It was so cool playing in front of a proper audience for the first time in my life.”

The quintet formed under the watchful eye of Joel Limu, a local talented musician and father of nine-year-old lead guitarist in the group Joshua and drummer Noah, who only just turned seven making him the youngest in the gang. Euie Campbell completes the line-up on keyboards.

A couple of the band members take music lessons at the historical venue and it was a proud moment for their teacher Martin Robinson, the pub’s entertainments and music academy manager, and also for landlord Christo Tofalli.

Christo said: “Quite simply, the kids rocked! For both Martin and myself it was a great moment to see this band do so well.

“As far as talent goes, they have it in abundance, you can’t teach that.

“One of our main missions is to be involved in and support the arts and this was a perfect combination of a local very young band practising their art at our pub.”

For more information on the pub’s music lessons telephone 01727 869152.