Rushen Silver Band from the Isle of Man is preparing to perform at the Inter-Celtic Festival in Lorient, Brittany this weekend.

The annual 10 day festival features performers from all the Celtic nations and regions, and last year attracted over 750,000 spectators.

Manx and Cornish

This year, the event showcases musicians from the Isle of Man and Cornwall with Rushen performing at a gala night alongside many other Manx and Cornish acts.

The band will also be taking part in the festival's Grand Parade, as well as at a number of other events during their visit, whilst MD John Kinley has been commissioned by Culture Vannin to write three new pieces based on Manx, Cornish and Breton music for the occasion.

Brass banding is an important part of the music scene on the Isle, so it's fitting for it to be featured MD John Kinley

Honoured

He told 4BR: "We are honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent the Isle of Man at the Inter-Celtic Festival.

Brass banding is an important part of the music scene on the Isle, so it's fitting for it to be featured.

We'd like to thank Culture Vannin and the Festival Interceltique de Lorient for their support with the trip, and we are all looking forward to performing the new pieces."