HUNDREDS of musicians will gather in the Yorkshire Dales next month for one of the UK's longest-running brass competitions.

Organisers of the Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival have secured sponsorship for the event from estate agents Charlton's and brewers T&R Theakston.

The festival is held in a natural amphitheatre in the shadow of Hardraw Force, the country's highest single-drop waterfall.

A dozen brass bands will be taking part in the competition, which has been in existence for 126 years, from 10am, on September 9.

And for the first time in 90 years, audience members will be able to travel to the event by rail, courtesy of the Wensleydale Railway.

First held in 1881, the competition attracted huge audiences in its early years, with many thousands of people making the weekend their annual holiday.

It has had various different incarnations over the years, attracting some of the best-known brass bands in the country, and has been run by the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association since 1989.

Vice-president Colin Wormald said: "This is a unique event, held in a beautiful natural auditorium with acoustics that have been compared by local historians as comparable with our greatest cathedrals."

Mike Charlton, principal at Charlton's Estate Agents, said: "The competition promises to be a fantastic spectacle in a wonderful location, and we are extremely pleased to be able to give our support to this year's event."

The competition is held in the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn, at Hardraw, and takes place in a marquee if the weather is bad. Tickets are available on the day at the entrance to the grounds.

For travel information, contact the Wensleydale Railway on 0845-450-5474.