HORNS will blow and cymbals crash this month when more than 700 young musicians descend on Blackpool for the Youth Brass Band Entertainment Festival of Great Britain.

The festival, now in its 16th year, will take place at the Winter Gardens on February 11, bringing together eleven bands made up of youngsters from all over the UK.

Gary Walczak, who teaches at a Rotherham high school, is the festival coordinator and he said in the weeks running up to the event a 12-strong brass band from Salford University has been visiting primary schools in and around Blackpool to get their attention and drum up supprt for the festival.

Gary said: "The musicians have visited more than 30 local schools in the area and playing a short concert to get the youngsters interested in coming to see the bands and even playing in them. The festival is organised in conjunction with the Action Research Charity, which helps fund research into disabilities. The bands will be competing for the £2,500 cash prize and a place in the All England Masters final in Cambridge later this year.

Mr Walczak said that the festival has been held in Blackpool since 1993. He said: "Blackpool is the centre of the universe for entertainment and has an attraction for everyone in this country. The Winter Gardens is an amazing venue and the co-operation by Blackpool Borough Council and the tourism department is second to none!"

The festival runs from 10am-5pm. Tickets cost £5 adults, £3 children or £13 for families. Call Mr Walczak on (01706) 373911.

Pictured are little Lizzie Bass meeting up with Paddington Bear and brass band co-ordinator Peter Schofield at Sacred Heart School, Thornton.