VALLEY Brass are celebrating after they won first prize at the North West Counties Brass Band Championship held in Fleetwood.

A team of 27 youngsters aged between 12 and 14 fought off strong competition from other bands to walk away with a trophy and £300, which will go into the bands funds.

On the day itself the piece of music Valley Brass played was called 'My Strength My Tower' by a man called Dean Goffin and they simply impressed the judges by the high standard of their play.

Valley Brass who are based in the Grange Valley Community Centre, Haydock, have been in operation for 10 years. There are currently about 60 members on board and they have three separate bands in categories A, B and C plus learners as well.

Keen supporter of Valley Brass, Colin Chadwick, told the Star: "We are delighted for those who took part and they deserve such praise for their efforts. I along with my wife Joan go and watch the youngsters in action on a Saturday and we are amazed at the level of progress they make from the outset.

"This is largely down to my son David who is a musical director and also two other assistants Amy Holmes and Danny Lowery who work so hard to encourage the youngsters to play to the best of their ability."

Not wanting to rest on their laurels the team who were successful in Fleetwood are now going to enter the Pontins Brass Band Final Championship to be staged in February or March of next year in Prestatyn.

Valley Brass who recruit members not only from Haydock but also from outside the area such as Rainhill and Widnes are currently on the look out for more fresh faces.

If you're interested then please telephone David Chadwick on 01744 601 162.