HATHERLEIGH Silver Band are through to the finals of the National Brass Band Championships — and need your help to get there!

For the second successive year the band will represent their home town at the national final, following their victory at the qualifying round held in Torquay in March.

In anticipation of the final this September, the band are working hard to raise funds for the band to travel to the event in Cheltenham.

On Saturday May 14 at Hatherleigh Community Centre, the band is holding a celebratory concert to mark their success and raise funds. There will be a varied programme of light concert music, including the piece that helped the band clinch the regional title.

Mark Quick, contest secretary for the band, said: 'It's a very prestigious event to be a part of.

'The area we compete in is one of the largest in Britain. It covers the entire West of England. It's known as arguably the hardest to compete in, and with lots of hard work and preparation, we won.'

'Due to the bad weather at Christmas we had to cancel our annual Christmas concert.

'We wanted to do something for all of the people in the area who have supported the band, and this concert is our way of doing that.'

The evening will also include the annual presentations of awards to members of the band and a raffle. as well as a bar and other refreshments available.

Entry costs £4 for adults, £2 for under 16s. The event starts at 7.30pm, all are welcome.

For further details on the band, visit the website http://www.hatherleighsilverband.co.uk">www.hatherleighsilverband.co.uk