HUNDREDS of musicians from all over the country descended on a former mining town this weekend.
Shildon, County Durham, hosted the United Kingdom Federation Jazzbands' World Championships.
The event kicked off with a march through the town centre before two days of competition in the town's Hackworth Park.
Organiser, Barbara Kilding, said: "The parade through the town really was spectacular and the whole of Shildon came out to see it.
"We had plenty of people coming through the park as well over the weekend and the event was a huge success.
"We are extremely grateful to the town council who have worked very hard up until and over the whole weekend.
"There were 46 bands competing, each with 30 members and all the parents and supporters that go with them so there has been a lot of work involved."
The results of the competition were last night being calculated but Mrs Kilding is hoping for an 11th win for her team, the Teesside Golden Dragoons, based in Stockton.
She said: "The standard of the competition was very high across the juniors, intermediate and division one section, but we are keeping our fingers crossed."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article