Francis Bonello of Xagħra, the oldest active bandsman in Gozo, has died, aged 87.

Mr Bonello, known as Frenċ is-Sansun, was a member of the Xagħra Victory Band since its foundation in 1939.

He started his career by playing the trombone with the Don Bosco orchestra in Xagħra, under the direction of Ġanni Vella.

The Victory Band was set up following the merger of the orchestra and the Xagħra Boy Scouts Band.

From then on, Mr Bonello kept playing the trombone whenever the Victory Band was invited to play.

However, Mr Bonello was the last person to outlive his colleagues in actively playing in both groups.

In 1989, Mr Bonello, together with Michael Refalo, was honoured for his 50 long years of service to the Xagħra Band.