BRASS bands from across the North-East have come together to take part in a fun competition.

The Stanley Brass Band Entertainment Contest was staged at Tanfield School in Tanfield Lea, near Stanley.

Organiser John Dodd said: “The event was a huge success. It is the second time we have staged it and it is going from strength to strength.

“We started it last year. My wife Joan plays for a colliery band.

“When we first met 10 years ago I wasn’t a big fan, but it’s one of those things that grow on you.

“We travel around the country a lot to different contests and felt there wasn’t a decent contest in this area so we thought let’s start one.”

Mr Dodd said 11 bands, from County Durham and Teesside, had taken part this year - the event nearly doubling in size since it was launched last year.

He said: “The contest was open to all bands, including unregistered ones.

“The competition also gives the young up-and-coming bands the opportunity to compete against each.

“They are the bands of the future and we try and encourage them.”

The adjudicators were John Doyle and Martin Armstrong of the Leyland Brass Band.

The winners were: Section A, Nasuwt Concert Band of Chester-le-Street; Section B Ferryhill Town Band; Section C, Houghton Area Youth Band and section D, the Whitworth Park School Band.