In addition to the British Open Championship taking place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on the weekend, there is also a very lucrative contest taking place in the North East on Sunday with the annual Dr Martin Wainstone Cup event.

It takes place at the Princess Alexander Auditorium, Yarm School, Stockton on Tees on Sunday 8th of September with six Championship bands competing for the Wainstone Cup trophy and a share of the £8,000 prize fund.

£4,000 to the winner

All bands will play a march, solo and own-choice test-piece, with the winner's also going home with a hefty cheque for £4,000.

There are also further podium prizes of £2,000 and £1,000, with the fourth placed band winning £500 and with £250 on offer for the 'Best March' and 'Best Soloist'. Each band will also receive £400 towards their travel expenses.

City of Bradford, Elland Silver, Fishburn, Newtongrange, Reg Vardy, Vernon Building Society (Poynton) will try and catch the ear of adjudicator Sandy Smith.

Music being performed includes the own-choices test-pieces, 'Music of the Spheres', 'Fragile Oasis', 'On The Shoulder of Giants', Year of the Dragon', 'Montage' and 'Titan's Progress'.

City of Bradford, Elland Silver, Fishburn, Newtongrange, Reg Vardy, Vernon Building Society (Poynton) will try and catch the ear of adjudicator Sandy Smith4BR

Wonderful opportunity

There is also a fine selection of marches and solo showcases, with contest organiser Steve Goodwin telling 4BR: "Although we are disappointed that three bands have withdrawn, we believe the contest continues to provide a wonderful opportunity for bands to showcase their talents to claim substantial prize money.

The winning band here collects more than the winners of the British Open.

It remains a very competitive field of contenders and we offer a very warm welcome to the bands, our adjudicator and the audience to what should be a great day of brass band music making."

The contest starts at 11.00am.