WOODFALLS Band have been crowned champions after winning the West of England regional finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

The band came out top out of 81 bands after a performance of Herbert Howell’s music Pageantry in front of packed crowds at Torquay’s Riveria Centre on Sunday, March 12.

The band will represent the West of England at the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

Woodfalls Band has also announced that conductor Dr Robert Childs, who steered the band to victory at Torquay, has agreed a three-year tenure as musical director.

Woodfalls chairman Paul Street said: “It is fantastic that the very first effort of our new partnership has seen the band win the West of England Championship at Torquay and we are now making a determined effort to get back into the British Open at the Grand Shield in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in May.”

There was also success for Verwood Concert Brass Band who took third spot.

Verwood Concert Brass’ bandmaster Mike Dunnings said: “Over the years the band has steadily improved and in doing so has gained promotion through the brass band structure. Last year we were promoted from the 1st section to the top championship section where the competition is really tough. We came 9th then, out of 13 bands in that section. Not bad for our first year in the Championship but with the bottom two bands being demoted, we knew another result like that this year would see us slip back to the 1st Section."

This result made history for band and was it's best ever result in its 153 year existence. The competition success also means the band remains in the championship section for at least another year.

Mr Dunnings said: “Big thanks go to our musical director, Kevin Smith, who somehow manages to interpret all of those dots and markings on the musical score and marshals the players to produce the sound he wants and to all the players who were up to the task of delivering what was required of them under the pressure of a contest, to give a quality performance on par with the very best in the business."

Verwood Concert Brass has its Spring Concert on April 1 at The Hub, Verwood.