Largest Banjo

Richard Ineson, of Church Street, own a giant banjo which is 26.5 inches across the drum and it stands about five feet high - setting the world record for the Largest banjo.

The Guinness world record for the Fastest Banjo player was set by Todd Taylor, USA.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the most banjos playing at the same time, set in Atlanta.

"I've been in the banjo business since 1961 and I have never seen one bigger."

Banjos were a big society craze in the late 19th century and Mr Ineson believes it was made in 1910 by Clifford Essex, a renowned music company who made banjos for royalty and nobility.

Mr Ineson continued to trace the story for The Whitby Gazette: "It was in a banjo band that went to the First World War to entertain the troops.

"The bloke who was playing it was called Wally Ogden and it actually got buried after the bunker got hit by a shell and they thought the banjo was lost.

"When they dug it all out again they found the tunnel was still there and they managed to get the banjo back, so it's been through the wars."

The 101 year old instrument is still in working condition and Mr Ineson regularly plays it at festivals, including one last weekend in Clowne, Derbyshire.

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