BEATING drums, smart uniforms and the sound of kazoos come to a Malvern Link football field on Sunday.

The Malvern Lynx Marching Band is holding the West Mercia Champion-ships and more than 12 bands from all over the country will be competing for divisional titles.

A fete and car boot sale running alongside the competition will raise funds for the Lynx band, which needs more than £4,500 to buy new royal blue and pale yellow uniforms.

Amanda Fairclough, who runs the band with her father Malcolm Fish, said: "We want as many people to come along and support us as possible."

The band had a lot of success last season, winning division three of the UK championships.

It is currently travelling all over the UK trying to qualify for world championships in South Wales in August.

Set up 21 years ago by Malcolm Fish, the band is still going strong. Thirty members, aged between five-years-old and adult, but mostly under 18, meet up once or twice a week.

They practise marching and playing a wide range of instruments including drums, glockenspiel, xylophone and kazoo.

Asked what she got out of it, Mrs Fairclough said: "Fun, togetherness and companionship."

Although 75 per cent of the members are girls, Mrs Fairclough said more boys were joining.

She added that new members were always welcome: "It's lovely to get new recruits - the more people that are interested, the longer we'll keep going."

Anyone interested in joining the band can contact Mrs Fairclough and Mr Fish on 01684 564233.

Sunday's championships and fete run from 10am to 6.30pm on the Morgan Sports Field behind the Civil Service Social Club, Spring Lane. Entry is 50p.