THE Reg Vardy (Ever Ready) Band is heading for the Royal Albert Hall after winning the North of England Regional Championships for the 27th time.

The band, which was competing in its first contest since signing a five-year sponsorship deal with Reg Vardy plc, put in a classy performance to qualify for the National Championships in London in October.

It will be the Stanley-based band's 37th appearance in the national finals and, with the backing of one of the UK's biggest motor retailers, it will be aiming to better its previous best of fourth place.

Darlington's Dolphin Centre hosted 44 bands over the weekend. The Reg Vardy Band competed against eight other bands in the championship section on Sunday. Each band played the same 17-minute piece, Tristan Encounters by Martin Ellerby.

Band manager Les Palmer said: "The standard was very high but we were pleased with the way we played.

"The rehearsals went well all week and we were able to keep that going on stage despite the pressure of the competition."

Conducted by Ray Farr, the band also unveiled its new Reg Vardy-branded music stand banners on Sunday.

The band will perform at Hambleton Forum in Northallerton on Saturday at 7.30pm.