The sound of brass...

Bands from all over the country will be playing on Sunday, October 2, between 10am and 10pm at Pershore High School and, for the first time, in the new facilities provided by the arts centre at No 8 in the town centre.

"We have a total of 20 bands playing at the High School and 19 at No 8," said festival secretary, Clive Allen. "Because the venues are some distance apart we have organised an all-day shuttle service between the two so that people won't miss out."

The Wychavon Festival of Brass is recognised as one of the top one-day entertainment contests of its kind in the country and regular attracts the top bands, playing in the championship and four other sections.

"There will be a lot of people in Pershore for the day," Mr Allen said.

The programme at the High School starts at 10am with the second section for the Systemic Challenge Trophy and £1,000 for the winners and the Wright and Round Trophy and £500 for the runners-up. The third section is timed to start at 11.30am with the Avonbank, Evesham, Band competing for the Three Towns Trophy and £900, with the Sankey Marine Trophy and £450 for the runners-up and James Cooper Memorial Trophy and £150 for the third. The championship section, which starts at 3.30pm, carries a first prize of £2,000 and the Wychavon Cup and the Evesham Journal Trophy and £900 goes to the runners-up and Allen gears Cup and £200 to the third.

At No 8 the programme starts at 10am with the fourth section competing for the VECTA Trophy and £800 with the Rooftop Trophy and £400 for the runners-up and the Lumsden Cup and £150 for the third. The second section starts at 4pm for the Roger Spragg Festival Cup and £1,500 for the winners, Brass Band World Trophy and £650 for the runners-up and Spectrum Foods Cup and £200 for the third.

There are also prizes for best soloist and best percussion in all sections.