THE Glades forgot all about "goodwill and peace to all men" when a primary school band was banned from playing a pre-Christmas charity concert.

After a six-year-long tradition of pre-Christmas fundraising in the shopping centre, the steel band from Princes Plain Primary School, in Church Lane, Bromley, was banned for being "too noisy".

The Glades argued shopkeepers complained about the noise and offered them a spot outside Allders, in the High Street.

When headteacher Pam King protested about the nine to 11-year-olds playing in wintry weather, she was told only the four "noisiest" bands were banned.

The band gratefully took up Sainsbury's offer to play under their canopy, but raised only £125 a fraction of the £700 they raised for Aid to Russia and the Republics (ARRC) during its former hour-long performances at The Glades.

Assistant headteacher Karen Minnis said: "We are really disappointed with this reaction and the mean attitude of the Glades' management to our steel band.

"It's a real shame there are some adults who, unlike our enthusiastic and caring children, have lost their sense of goodwill and peace to all men at this special time of year.

"We like to support ARRC at Christmas, especially its Ladybird Orphanage project, which aims to help street children, Chernobyl victims, disabled and needy children. We're really disappointed not to help them as much as we have done previously."

A spokesman for The Glades said: "The school was told the band could come if they reduced their numbers but they would not. We've accommodated 38 bands and carol singers to raise money for charities.

"It's unfortunate, and we are aware it's Christmas time, but we have a noise-level problem."

The band, which plays regularly for playgroups, schools and residential homes across the borough, was awarded a £5,000 lottery grant for new steel drums.

Mrs Minnis said: "We are thrilled. There is no way we could have dreamt of getting £5,000. The children are really excited about getting the new drums ready for taking part in the Bromley School Proms at Fairfield Halls in February."