The list of competing bands that will battle it out for the qualification places on offer for the Royal Albert Hall and Cheltenham at the North of England Brass Band Championships in Durham have been announced.

The contest weekend will take place at the Gala Theatre, in the heart of the historic city of Durham, on the 11th/12th March.

Places up for grabs

There are two places up for grabs in the Championships Section, with two bands invited from the First, Second Third and Fourth to represent the North of England at Cheltenham in September.

A total of 40 bands will perform, whilst the decision making will be in the hands of two judges in each section for the very first time.

Decision

Regional Secretary, Tony Griffiths told 4BR: "All bands took part in a ballot on this issue after the 2016 event and decided to go with two adjudicators."

The contest starts with the Second and Fourth Sections on the Saturday with the First, Third and Championship Sections the following day.

The contest starts with the Second and Fourth Sections on the Saturday with the First, Third and Championship Sections the following day4BR

Championship Section:

Sunday 12th March
Draw 1.30pm
Commences: 3.00pm (approx after Third Section)

Easington Colliery (Ian Robinson)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (Stig Maersk)
Fishburn (Joseph Cook)
Kirkbymoorside Town (John Woodward)
Lockwood Brass (John Roberts)
NASUWT Riverside (Dave Roberts)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)
York Railway Institute (Dr David Lancaster)

First Section:

Sunday 12th March
Draw: 8.30am
Commences: 10.00am

Cockerton Band (Michael Hardman)
Dunston Silver (Aiden Hodgson)
GT Group Peterlee (Trevor Langthorne)
Harrogate (Dean Jones)
Ripon City (Martin Hall)
Shepherd Group Band (Richard Wilton)
Westoe Brass (Lee Morris)

Second Section:

Saturday 11th March
Draw: 10.30am
Commences: 12 midday

Ashington Colliery (David Kendall)
Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Peter Elcoat)
Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray)
East Riding of Yorkshire Band (Gary Hallas)
Ellington Colliery (Jonathon Fenwick)
Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
J36 Brass (Andrew Warriner)
NASUWT Concert Brass (John Bell)

Third Section:

Sunday 12th March
Draw: 10.45am to commence approximately 12.15pm after First Section)

Backworth Colliery (Colin Harris)
Barton Community (Gary Oglesby)
Billingham Silver (Vaughn Evans)
Ferryhill Town (Andrew Hall)
Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
Marske Band (Alun Prest)
Murton Colliery (Richie Wallace)
North Skelton (Lewis Wilkinson)
Swinton & District Excelsior (Robin Rutter)

Fourth Section:

Saturday 11th March
Draw: 1.00pm (to commence approximately 2.30pm after Second Section)

Burneside (Laurie Johnston)
Craghead Colliery (Jack Dodds)
Jayess Newbiggin Band (Andrew Griffiths)
Knaresborough Silver (Steve Morland)
Lanchester (Gareth Sykes)
Penrith Town (Mark Wilkinson)
Spennymoor Town (Neil Davis)
Trimdon Concert Brass (Tina Mortimer)