A talented group of musicians is preparing to represent Norfolk in the National Brass Band Championship.

Members of Cawston Band will be raising the baton for the county at the competition in Cheltenham later this month in a year which has already proved memorable, having been crowned London and Southern Counties Champions in March.

The band will also perform in a higher section next year as a result of winning the regional championship.

All 18 bands performing at the national final on September 17 will play a piece called Images of Brass written by American composer Stephen Bulla to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Cawston band press officer Stuart Philpot said: 'The band was last in the final about 10 years ago so this is great achievement and a really good reward for all our hard work.

'We are looking at 40 to 50 hours of rehearsals for a 10-minute performance so it is very pressurised.'

He added: 'Images of Brass is a very challenging piece, but we are looking forward to giving it a go and are working hard on it.

'Teamwork is the secret of our success and together we make up a good bunch of musicians.'

The band will perform Images of Brass during a concert at Cawston parish church on Saturday, September 10.

The performance will also feature well known compositions, including familiar film music.

The acoustics of the magnificent 14th century church enhance the sound from the 28 musicians led by conductor Leigh Sharpe.

Tickets, £8 and £5 concessions, are available on the door from 7pm with refreshments available during the interval.

Visit www.cawstonband.co.uk for more information and to keep up to date with the band's events.