HATHERLEIGH Silver Band is on a high after winning the West of England Brass Band championships at the weekend — the greatest result in its history.

The 27-piece band's rendition of 'Prelude Song and Dance' was considered the best of the 22 bands competing at the English Riviera Centre in Torquay and it is now full steam ahead for the national finals in September in Cheltenham.

Contest secretary and band member Mark Quick said everyone was still buzzing from the win: 'It's a big achievement for us,' he said. 'We qualified for the nationals before from coming second in the regionals but have never won this one.

'So much hard work has been put in over the last two years and that has now paid off. It's been a fantastic experience.'

Mr Quick, who has been a band member for 30 years, said the age range of the band went from 14 to 80 and some had played for more than 60 years.

He said the conducting partnership of Robin Wonnacott and David Hayward over the last two years had been a real asset to the band.

'The two of them together have raised the band's standard completely and we have had some excellent results, including winning the South West Brass Band competition in 2009,' he said.

Hatherleigh will compete against the best 20 bands in the country in September and rehearsals begin when the piece of music is chosen, usually two months before the championships.

Mr Quick praised the Hatherleigh community for its 'fantastic' support: 'There was a welcoming party for us when we returned on Saturday night, it was lovely,' he added.