UPTON Youth Band's A-Corps is preparing to defend its title in the City of Bath European Marching Bands competition on Sunday, July 10.

The band was crowned champion in last year's competition.

On Sunday, the A-corps took third place in Division Three at the Colchester Band Competition, while the previous day, both the A-corps and the cadets performed outside the Pepperpot in Upton, raising £150 in donations.