THE region's finest brass band is officially one of the best in Britain.

The Reg Vardy (Ever Ready) Band won third place in the national brass championships, held in the Royal Albert Hall, London. It is the band's best result at the contest.

Band manager Les Palmer said: "It was a really good performance and our conductor Ray Farr's interpretation of the music obviously appealed to the adjudicators.

"We do not know how he does it, but he always seems to get it right."

Mr Palmer also singled out soloists Bryan Tait, Tom Glendinning, Paul Robinson and Chris Bentham for praise.

The band, based in Stanley, County Durham, was one of 20 competing in the finals, after they won a regional contest earlier in the year.

The competition was won by the Black Dyke Band, from Bradford, while the Huddersfield-based Yorkshire Building Society Band was second.

Mr Palmer said: "Our third place means we qualify automatically for next year's national finals.

"We will still go through the qualifying rounds as normal and will be going out to win, but it is good for the region as it means there will be places for two other North-East bands, as well as us, in the 2005 finals."

Sir Peter Vardy, the chief executive of sponsor Reg Vardy, said: "This is an outstanding and richly deserved result for the band.

"Success at this level does not come easily and is testament to all the time and effort the members spend rehearsing and performing week in, week out.

"It has been a great year for the band and I look forward to their continued success next year."

Published: 22/10/2004