A high-flying piper is one of the latest recruits to the top-ranked Grampian Police Pipe Band.

RAF Police dog handler Corporal Richard Bond joined up with his fellow boys and girls in blue because the Grampian Police Pipe Band was the best in the north east.

Now Richard, 37, travels a round trip of 120 miles twice a week from his home near his base at RAF Kinloss to practice with the band.

And he encouraged other top pipers and drummers from the Moray area to sign up with the Grampian Police Band.

Richard said: "Grampian Police Pipe Band is easily the best in the area and if you want to play in a premier band, you have to be prepared to travel.

"But it's all worth it – it's a really good band and we have done extremely well in competitions this year."

Married dad-of-three Richard was speaking only days before the band competes in the piping world's premier fixture – the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on Saturday (August 14).

The Band have already won the Scottish Championships and notched up podium places in both the British and European competitions.

Richard said: "We are aiming to be there or thereabouts at the World Championships and we'll certainly be going all out for success.

"We're travelling to Glasgow with the aim of winning."

The Grade 2 band will join around 8000 pipers and drummers and over 240 bands from around the world at the largest event in the piping calendar.

More than 40,000 people are expected to watch the competition.

Richard said: "We have been working towards this all year and we've already done very well in the Scottish, British and European championships."

Richard, originally from Edinburgh, took up the pipes when he was aged just six – because he didn't like learning to play the piano.

He said: "I obviously made the right choice – I like to think I'm a good piper, but I wouldn't have been much of a pianist."

Pipe Band Manager, Grampian Police Inspector Murray Main, said: "Grampian Police has always enjoyed a good relationship with the RAF.

"Richard is putting something back into the community by playing with us and he has played at events like the end of term at Andersons Primary School in Forres."

Richard also recently performed solo at Elgin's ASDA to support a sponsored cycle marathon for breast cancer charity Tickled Pink.

Insp. Main said: "The majority of the band aren't police officers and they come from a huge variety of backgrounds.

"Without the dedication of all these people, and their families, we quite simply wouldn't have a band.

"The commitment of people like Richard is tremendous and has contributed enormously to our success this year.

"We have players from across the force area and further afield – we even have one from Glasgow.

"They choose to join us because we are the top pipe band in the area - it offers them the chance to compete at a very high level and we have ambitions to do even better in the future.

"In order to do that, we want to attract the best pipers and drummers and new blood is always welcome as we aim to reach the highest levels.

"We know there is a huge reservoir of talent in the Moray area and we'd be keen to speak to anyone who wants to help us take the band to the next level."