A MORECAMBE brass brand has scored an historic victory in the country's premier competition.

Members of the Lancashire Life Morecambe Band are absolutely delighted to have secured top honours at the British National Band Championship at Preston Guild Hall at the weekend.

The local brass band were up against the best 16 bands in the country and being drawn 13th certainly didn't prove to be unlucky.

Led by Andrew Warriner, a former member of the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band who also appeared in the hit Brit movie, Brassed Off, the Morecambe Band performed a stunning interpretation of the test piece, Michael Ball's "An English Suite."

"We were absolutely brilliant," said Sid Parry. "The new conductor Alan Warriner has really got us into great shape. The best we've ever done is third about six years ago. To win it outright against the best in the country is fantastic. It's the equivalent of Morecambe FC winning the FA Cup! The new champions are truly a credit to the town."

The band trophy cabinet will now be packed full of silverware including the National Bandsmans Challenge Vase, the National Crystal Trophy, the Secretary's Silver Cup plus the National Champions Banner and also a £1,000 winners cheque!