BLOWING their own trumpet this week are members of Sidmouth Town Band who came a respectable ninth out of 16 in the West of England Regional Championships at Torquay on Saturday.

BLOWING their own trumpet this week are members of Sidmouth Town Band who came a respectable ninth out of 16 in the West of England Regional Championships at Torquay on Saturday.

The band was competing against bands from across the UK in Section Three of the contest, playing a tricky piece in three movements called The Once and Future King.

Town band chairman and principal trombonist Chris Holland said: "It would have been nice to have come in second or third place but we were pleased with the place we had, which was better than the band tipped to win - Forest of Dean which came 11th.

"It was a very difficult piece, which we have spent two months practicing. At least we have staved off relegation this year."

Brunel Brass won the section and the top two bands from the whole contest will go forward to the London finals.

Now Sidmouth's band will work on preparing for its summer evening concerts in Connaught Gardens which begin on Sunday, May 24 from 8pm.

Before that they will be in action on Good Friday, playing at the traditional Hot Cross Bun giveaway.