Manx Concert Brass finished seventh in the North West Regional Championships, held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Under the baton of musical director Ian Clague, they tackled Philip Sparke’s demanding work, The Land of the Long White Cloud. They were competing in the first section of the competition for the first time since 2013 following months of rehearsals and hard work.

Band chairman Ian Mansell said: ’Obviously we were delighted to have qualified for the first section again.

’To compete at this standard is very much a combined effort from MD and players to their families and loyal supporters.’