A BRASS band from East Dorset is celebrating after winning a major contest.

Verwood Concert Brass won the special award for the highest-placed First Section Band and also won the contest outright at the 68th Annual Champion-ships of the South West Brass Band Association.

The band travelled 100 miles down to the Riviera Centre in Torquay to take part in the ‘Open Section’ of the contest, for Champion-ship Section and First Section bands.

Each band chose its own test piece to play. Verwood’s test piece choice was ‘Spectrum’, by Gilbert Vintner.

Spectrum, meaning a band of colours, was apt as the band put in a colourful performance to find favour with the contest adjudicators and audience alike.

Band chairman and cornet player, Helen Dunnings, pictured, said: “This is a great achievement for the band. We have been putting in some consistently good contest performances but in the past have just missed out on winning some silverware.

“Coming away with the winning cup and special award for highest placed First Section Band has given us all a real boost and is great recognition for everyone’s hard work and efforts.”

Verwood Concert Brass’ next contest will be closer to home – the Wessex Brass Band Association Winter Contest, taking place on November 29 at the Life Centre, Bournemouth.