A HISTORIC brass band competition is coming back to Warrington for the first time in more than 35 years.

Brass in the Wire will be marking its return to the Pyramid and Parr Hall after hosting the contest in 1983 and 1984.

Almost 40 bands, including youth groups, will be at the Cultural Quarter venues next Sunday, January 26, to test their early season form in a variety of categories with the top prize being in the Championship Section.

The volunteer-led event has been a northern tradition for more than 70 years and has had a number of venues over the years in Bolton, Preston and Fleetwood.

Most recently it was held at Preston Guild Hall and has moved due to the uncertainty about the future of the building.

Frank Hodges has been organising brass band competitions for more than 50 years.

He is no longer a member of a band but he has played for more than 58 years.

He said: “It is great to find an alternative venue that we feel is capable to facilitate this competition.

“Brass in the Wire is part of a series of brass band contests that began in in 1949 and have all been organised by volunteers.

“The purpose of the competition is to help the bands to prepare for national competitions but mainly to help amateur musicians to improve in their hobby.”

n Brass in the Wire is on January 26, starting at 10am.

Spectators are welcome and tickets can be booked at parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on