NEARLY 40 bands in two venues provided a feast of music for brass band enthusiasts at the Wychavon Festival of Brass

For the first time, festival organisers last Sunday used both Number 8 and Pershore High School for the various sections and secretary Clive Allen said: "Although using two venues required more effort from our loyal band of helpers, it proved to help the festival. More people enjoyed the wonderful music in improved halls."

Two of the top bands in the country played out a fitting finale to the championship section and adjudicator Dr Robert Childs placed Polysteel (formerly Flowers) Band top, just ahead of Wingates Band, winners of the two previous festivals.

Dr Childs said: "It has been a wonderful day. The programmes were very well chosen and the soloists outstanding.

It was certainly a big day for Ellie King, the 11-year-old soloist with Evesham's Avonbank Band. She was awarded a special prize for an outstanding solo from such a young player. Dr Childs awarded her a £100 voucher provided by R and J Handley Ltd, the band uniform manufacturer.

Championship (for the Wychavon Cup and £2,000) Polysteel (formerly Flowers) Band; 2 (Evesham Journal Trophy and £900) Wingates Band, 3 (Allen Gears Cup and £200) United Co-op Band (Crewe). Best soloist (Raphaels of Hampton Ferry Cup) Andrew Welsh, cornet, (United Coop Band). Best percussion (Andy Barton Memorial Cup) Polysteel (formerly Flowers) band.

First Section (The Festival Cup and £1,500) Lydbrook Band, 2 (Brass Band World Trophy and £650) Hathem, 3 (Spectrum Foods Cup and £200) Shirley Band. Best soloist (Brooklyn Challenge Trophy) Leslie Pearse, euphonium (Lydbrook Band). Best percussion (Billy Brawn Challenge Cup) Enderby Band.

Second Section (Systemic Challenge Trophy and £1,000) Foresters Brass 2000, 2 (Wright and Round Trophy and £500) Porthwyaen Silver Band. Best soloist (Foster Freeman Bowl) Carol Stokes, cornet (Porthwyaen Silver Band). Best percussion (Mick Sharpe Memorial Trophy (Porthwyaen Silver Band).

Third Section (Three Towns Trophy and £900) Portishead Town Band, 2 (Sankey Marine Trophy and £450) West Mercia Constabulary, 3 (James Cooper Memorial Trophy and£150) Bratton Silver Band. Best soloist (sponsored by Foster Freeman Ltd) Dale Price, euphonium (Portishead Town Band). Best percussion (sponsored by Gage-Tupper Associates) Hungerford Town.

Fourth Section (The VECTA Trophy and £800) Cubbington Silver Band, 2 (Rooftop Trophy and £400) Newport Borough Brass band, 3 (The Lumsden Cup and £150) Denton Brass. Best soloist (sponsored by Foster Freeman) Philip Orton, cornet (Cubbington Silver Band). Best percussion (sponsored by Gage-Tupper Associates) Cubbington Silver Band.

Local Band Contest (The Tracy Sollis Cup and £100) Malvern Hills District Brass Band, 2 (The I Memorial Trophy) Winchcombe Concert Brass.