Desford Colliery Band flew Paula from Australia to the UK to play Principal Cornet for them when three of the bands in house principal cornets were unavailable for this contest.

4BRDU spoke briefly with Paula, in the wee hours of Monday morning, following Desford's win at the Masters yesterday.

Paula said: "I am pleasantly surprised with the win, and have very much appreciated the opportunity to come back 'home' to play with Desford."

I am pleasantly surprised with the win, and have very much appreciated the opportunity to come back 'home' to play with Desford.Paula Russell

"The band worked very hard in its preparation, with a strong focus on the stylistic aspect of the work, which seemed to please the adjudicators."

Pride of place next to Paula on the plane ride home will be the cup presented to her as the Principal Cornet for the winning band.

Paula has a couple of days to catch up on some well earned rest before heading to Leicester to record a solo with Desford, "My Love is like a Red Red Rose", as part of a segment for the BBC's "Listen to the Band".

Brisbane Excelsior is very much looking forward to Paula's return later in the week, as it begins its preparation for the New Zealand Championships.