FOREST of Dean Brass has sailed through to the national finals in Cheltenham despite tough competition at the regional championships.

The Yorkley-based group left judges at the 2014 West of England Regional Brass Band Championships in Torquay with a difficult decision to make on who to send to the finals.

In the end they chose Forest of Dean Brass, conducted by Chris Howley, as winners of their section against several fine bands from all over the south west gaining the title Second Section West of England Champions.

Delighted musical director, Chris said: "The commitment shown by the players has been first class. The result was all down to hard graft and a desire to bring out the character in each of the four movements. It's such a brilliant test piece to work on with the band that we all enjoyed the music. I couldn't have asked for anything more on stage. I am so proud of what the band has achieved."

•IN conjunction with the F.W. Harvey Society, Forest of Dean Brass is putting on a special World War One centenary concert at Gloucester Cathedral on June 27.

In honour of local First World War poet F.W. (Will) Harvey, Chris Howley has composed a special piece of music A Gloucestershire Lad at Home and Abroad which will be premiered at the concert. For information and tickets visit http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk">www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk or http://www.fwharvey">www.fwharvey society.co.uk or telephone 01594 843107.