The world-famous Brighouse and Rastrick beat all of the odds to take fourth position in a top contest.

The band were highly placed at London’s Royal Albert Hall in the Finals of the National Brass Band Championships.

And the fourth place means they automatically return to the prestigious venue for the final next year.

The band were drawn to play first band – an initial blow for the top band as no-one who plays first has won from the number one position.

Paul Beaumont, Band president said: “Every band dreads having to be the first band on stage at a contest as statistics show that you stand no chance of a successful result as it is basically the first time that the adjudicators or the audience have heard the test piece, so they have nothing to compare you to.”

Twenty of the UK’s best brass bands competed for the title of Champion Band of Great Britain.

The title was won this year by Cory Band, from Wales, whose performance of the test piece “Of Distant Memories” by Edward Gregson was described as stunning and faultless.

David Thornton of Brighouse and Rastrick Band who won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award
David Thornton of Brighouse and Rastrick Band who won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award

David Thornton, Principal Euphonium of B&R was awarded the outstanding Instrumentalist award, a huge achievement considering that over 600 instrumentalists competed in the contest.

Tredegar Town Band, who are guests of B&R at their Massed Band concert at Huddersfield Town Hall on October 26, came second in the contest and Yorkshire Band Carlton Main Frickley Colliery came third.

Tickets for the Huddersfield event are on sale from 01484 712355. The band also performs at King’s Hall, Ilkley on November 9 when their guests will be Malsis School Choir. Tickets for that from 01422 375447.