A WORLD famous brass band is to perform in Newton Aycliffe at an event to raise money for local hospices.

It has taken more than two years for the town's Rotary Club to book the Grimethorpe UK Coal Band, one of the world's leading brass bands.

The concert, to be held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on Saturday, April 20, at 7pm, is scheduled between a performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and a month's tour of Australia.

The band has recently retained the National Mineworkers' Championship for the 20th consecutive year and is the new Brass in Concert champions.

Well-known for a performance in the 1995 film Brassed Off, which starred Ewan McGregor, the band provided the sound track to the film and were nominated for a BAFTA award. The CD has won a silver disc in the UK and a gold disc in Australia.

Tickets for the Newton Aycliffe concert are £10, £7.50 and £5 and are available from Barry Hutchinson, at 24 Westmorland Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4LP.

Cheques should be made out to The Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe. Details are available from (01325) 311453.

All profits go to the Butterwick Hospices in Stockton and Bishop Auckland and St Teresa's in Darlington.