A TWENTY-five-piece brass band from the county is blowing its own trumpet after winning through to national finals in Dundee.

The Stourport-on-Severn Brass Band came third out of 19 in the Midlands Regional Championship - good enough for a place in the competition final.

But their bronze-placed performance, at Burton-on-Trent Town Hall on Saturday, March 8, has left them needing £3,000 to pay for the trip up north.

And their position has left members feeling like Grimley Colliery Band in the film Brassed Off.

"We may not be facing closure but we've now got the huge task of raising the money to take the band to the national finals," said band secretary, Helen Fishbourne.

"We shall be starting to raise the money ourselves but it would be terrific if there was somebody, or some organisation, who would like to put their hands in their pockets to help us."

While the band is appealing for cash, they are also looking for another drummer and a second B flat Tuba player.

The band will be playing in a new production of Brassed Off at Birmingham Repertory theatre, and at other venues throughout the Midlands on most weekends.

For further information, contact Helen Fishbourne on 01905 840718.