England band's instruments back for Kiev match

The England Supporters' Band have attended England games for 16 years

The England Supporters' Band believe they will be allowed to take their instruments to England's 2012 European Championship match against Sweden.

The news comes after the band's instruments were confiscated at the stadium in Ukraine on Monday.

Members said the ban, for the match against France, was the first game they had missed in 16 years.

The Sheffield-based band said they were told there was no problem for the game against Sweden in Kiev, on Friday.

Leader John Hemmingham said: "We heard that it's OK, it's going to be all right this time, we never thought it would be a problem when we came out.

"We want to thank everyone who has campaigned for us, including the Football Association and the fans.

"Well done to everyone."

The Football Association said "we understand Uefa has confirmed this [band appearance] will be OK".

At football stadiums around the world there are often bans on certain items, but the band were told arrangements had been made for them to be allowed in with their brass instruments and drums.

"We'll arrive about three hours before kick-off to sort any problems there may be, then we'll take our seats and away we go from there," Mr Hemmingham added.

The band, who are aged between 18 and 76 and provide music to add atmosphere to England games, sat through the game against France in the stadium in Donetsk, which ended in a 1-1 draw.