DURHAM County Cricket Club's very own brass band has qualified for the national brass band championships alongside The Reg Vardy Ever Ready Band.

The Chester-le-Street Riverside Band secured their spot at London's Royal Albert Hall later this year after being edged into second place by two points at the North of England Brass Band Championships by the Reg Vardy Band. The championships were held at the weekend at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington.

The Riverside Band will be performing at this year's Northern Proms, which in their fourth year promises be as spectacular as ever, with international opera stars Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid taking centre stage.

The Riverside band's chairman Tom Moffat said, "I'm absolutely delighted, the band has worked so hard and really deserves to do well in the final.

"It's such a great achievement, hopefully one of many for all associated with Durham County Cricket Club in 2005."

The Northern Proms will be held at the Riverside on Saturday, July 30.

Ticket prices are £10 for under 18s and £23 for adults when purchased in advance. Tickets can be bought online at www.NorthernProms.co.uk or by contacting the box office on (0191) 387 5151.