THIRTY young musicians have taken part in a summer school which closed with a public performance.

Young brass players, aged seven to 16, attended three days of classes at Belmont School Community Arts College, in Durham.

Peripatetic brass teacher Keith Norris led street band workshops, helping young people develop their listening and improvisation skills.

The event closed with a performance yesterday, featuring the premiere of The Mystery March, written for the show by Bruce Fraser.

Hayley O'Connelly, a 12-year-old trombonist and pupil at Belmont School, who was recently selected to play with the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain, was one of those taking part.

She said: "We've enjoyed becoming better players with help from the teachers."

Laura Boyle, the school's co-ordinator of music, who plays in the Reg Vardy Band, said: "It is important to offer young people the chance to develop their confidence and encourage them to play as part of a band especially with the North-East having such a strong heritage associated with brass bands."