A TOWN band hopes to reach its final fundraising furlong before flying the flag for the North at a national competition.

Spennymoor Town Band will represent the region when it competes at the National Brass Band Finals of Great Britain in Cheltenham in September and to get there it must raise thousands of pounds.

To qualify for the contest, the band won the lower section of the North of England Brass Band Championships back in March.

Spennymoor went into the competition knowing it was improving– Fiona Casewell’s appointment as musical director last November had given members a boost and rehearsals for the test piece had gone well.

Once their performance at The Gala Theatre in Durham was over, members aged nine to 81 could feel positive vibes around the venue.

As results were announced they realised their chances of landing the title were good as individual awards went to players Yvonne Malcolm (best cornet), David Richardson, (best euphonium) and Harry Pears (youngest player).

Vice president of the band Hugh Stephenson said: “I’m immensely proud for the band, the town, the county and our region.”

He said this is the first time the band has qualified in 27 years and possibly the first time ever as regional champions, having got there as runners-up in 1991 and 1989. It will also be the only band from County Durham at the contest in Cheltenham.

Mr Stephenson said: “With our achievement comes the task of raising over £6,000 to get us to Cheltenham, a challenge which is going really well and the community of Spennymoor is very much behind.”

The band needs to pay for the almost 500 mile round-trip and hire a room for last minute rehearsals. And the musicians do not just want to sound good for the finals but to look the part too, so they hope to raise enough money to also get smart new made-to-measure waistcoats.

Mr Stephenson added: “We want to take this opportunity of qualifying to enhance the band, its appearance and to buy some additional items such as new mutes.”

Spennymoor Town Council, which has provided a band room in the town hall for 37 years, has donated to the fund and other grants came from the five local Durham County Councillors’ neighbourhood budgets, The Banks Group, Sir John Hall and other organisations, individuals and businesses. The band can be supported via its Facebook page.