SALE Brass Band hit all the right notes when it can out on top in a prestigious competition.

The band, consisting of 28 players from the Trafford area, fought off fierce opposition from 11 other bands from all over the country to take the fourth section first prize of £2,000 in the Butlins Mineworkers Contest in Skegness.

For Joshua Hughes, recently appointed musical director for Sale Brass, it was only his second competitive outing with the band.

They performed 'Five French Masters', by Chris North, where each movement is named after a famous Impressionist painting.

Adjudicator John Doyle said that Sale’s all round quality made the band a clear winner.

“We had no problem picking them out,” he said. “We were really impressed by the direction given by the musical director in terms of tempo, style and dynamics, and the playing was first rate. A number of other bands did well on the day, but Sale was a good margin ahead of the rest.”

After a very busy period of concerts leading up to Christmas and preparation for the contest, there is no rest for the players as the band prepares for the Brass Band Regional Championship in Blackpool in February. They will be previewing the test piece for this at Boarshurst Band Club, Greenfield. on February 22.

The band is also preparing for a number of concerts, including the Mayor of Trafford’s Charity Concert at Sale Salvation Army Hall on February 14, an evening concert at Boarshurst Band Club on March 15 and a joint concert with the Salvation Army in Sale on April 25.

The band will also entertain runners and the crowd when it plays in the centre of Sale during the Manchester Marathon on April 19.