A ROMSEY band finished fourth in the national championships after battling tough opponents.

Michelmersh Silverband competed in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, which included 16 bands from around the country.

Having been drawn to play fifteenth, band members faced a long four-hour wait until taking the stage at just after 8pm.

They managed to set aside their nerves and with only the top six being announced, Michelmersh Silver Band were announced to have come fourth.

Band Chairman, Adam Smith said: "The First Section in banding is a very high standard and is extremely competitive.

"There are over 100 First Section bands in the country, so for Michelmersh to have been placed at the top of that pile really shows the level of talent, hard work and passion that runs through our band.

"We cannot even begin to thank our supporters, families, grant-givers and of course our amazing players, for making this happen."

There will be no let up in rehearsals for the band as they put together programmes for their next contest in Oxford in October, and a joint concert with The Spitfire Sisters in Romsey Abbey in November.