A BRASS band from Woodbridge is celebrating after achieving success in a national competition.The Excelsior band had a tough competition on their hands at the London and Southern Counties National Qualifiers, but managed to earn themselves a place in the top three of the league tables for next year's contest.

A BRASS band from Woodbridge is celebrating after achieving success in a national competition.

The Excelsior band had a tough competition on their hands at the London and Southern Counties National Qualifiers, but managed to earn themselves a place in the top three of the league tables for next year's contest.

It was a well-earned win as the band had been promoted to a higher section following their success at the National Finals last year, and were competing against some of the country's top bands.

Jackie Walker, assistant musical director, said: "We knew playing in the third section was going to be quite a challenge and knew the standard of playing was going to be a lot higher than that of the fourth section. The test piece that was set for us was called Vizcaya by composer Gilbert Vinter, and was a very difficult piece to play. However, after much rehearsing we entered the competition fairly confident we would do well.

"The band has steadily improved over the past three years and is thrilled with the progress that has been made. It normally takes bands years and years to make this progress and we have achieved it in just a few.

"All of this is down to the hard work and dedication of the band members and also the knowledge and guidance given by our musical director Evan Howells."

Next year the band is looking forward to returning to Stevenage where, if they do well, they are in a strong position to be promoted once more.

The band is now busy preparing for what will be a busy summer season, starting with a concert to celebrate 'D-day' on June 6 in the Community Hall, Woodbridge.