A carnival drum group is looking for new members to join in with its Rio-flavoured rhythms.

Hitchin-based Toque Tambor, a colourful, life-affirming feature at many of the area’s big musical events, as well as across the UK and Europe, is running weekly classes up until Christmas teaching the principles of drumming within a Brazilian-style group, or bloco.

Band leader JP Courtney said anyone who has enthusiasm for music can get involved “with this valuable community, cultural collective”.

“Although existing musicians will benefit from the new skills, it’s a style of music that anyone can learn and covers not just samba but other carnival grooves as well.”

The course, which takes place on Tuesday evenings at the Ravidassia Centre, Knowl Piece, Hitchin, costs �100 in instalments, with a first taster session free. Drums (and earplugs) are supplied.

All students and existing band members will take part in a The Ware Dickensian festival at the end of the course.

To book a place, email drum@toquetambor.com or call JP on 07759 943737.