TOWNS and villages across South Durham are set to come alive with some of the best street bands in the world.

That's as this year’s BRASS festival The Big Brass Bash sees bands from the UK, France and Spain bring the party to the North.

This year the party will start in Bishop Auckland, where bands will perform alongside vintage cars as the Bishop Auckland Town Team holds its first vintage and classic car show, on Sunday, from 10am until 3pm.

Based in the Market Place, the musical entertainment was able to stop by thanks to a contribution from Durham County Councillor for Bishop Auckland Town, Sam Zair's Neighbourhood Budget.

The free event will also be at Glenholme Park, in Crook, on Tuesday, July 17; Timothy Hackworth Park, in Shildon, on Wednesday, July 18; Jubilee Park, in Spennymoor, on Thursday, July 19 and Town Park, in Newton Aycliffe, on Friday, July 20. All the weekday concerts will take place from 6pm to 9pm.

As well as festival favourites including Back Chat Brass, Artistas del Gremio and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, new all-female street band Breakout Brass will join the tour as part of this year’s focus on women and brass.

Other newcomers include The Brass Funkeys, an eight-piece London-based brass band, and Funky Style Brass from France.

Local performers from each area will also be taking part and work alongside The Northern Monkey Brass Band.

Festival director Paul Gudgin said: “Our big brass bash events are always popular and we hope lots of people head out into our parks to enjoy these free events.”