HAYDOCK Youth Band brought home the silver after storming to victory in the North West Brass Band Championships at the King George V Centre, Blackbrun.

Cheers filled the auditorium as the result was announced and the audience rose to their feet to give the talented Haydock Youngsters the ovation they deserved following a highly-polished performance that completely outclassed some of the finest youth bands in Britain.

The packed house had been spellbound as the band gave a magnificent performance of 'Stantonbury Festival' and the roar of approval as the last note was played left the adjudicators in no doubt what the audience thought.

Bandmaster Dave Chadwick, who was declared top conductor at the contest, was delighted at the result. He said: "Our youngsters have worked their socks off practising for this contest over the past few weeks and their hard work and dedication has paid off. It was an exceptional performance and I am really proud of them. They are a credit to themselves and to St Helens.

"Several of our players are at the lower end of the age range, some still in primary school, but they were professional enough not to be overawed by the older members of the opposing bands."

Meanwhile, Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillor John Mealor and Mrs Doreen Mealor, will be calling at the band's practice rooms at Grange Valley Youth and Community Centre to personally congratulate the band.

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