THE tuning up is over and the first notes have been struck in the fifth, and biggest, Durham Brass Festival.

Durham Constabulary Band played for an appreciative audience in an open air performance in Millennium Place, outside the city's Gala Theatre, on Saturday lunchtime.

The 28-strong band, which rehearses twice weekly at force headquarters at Aykley Heads, performed to mark the start of the month-long celebration of brass music.

Later, the renowned Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band, backed by soloist Sue Bickley, played to a sell-out audience at the theatre, the first of several headline concerts during the festival.

Other features include the Reg Vardy Brass Band, with special guest artists Mieko Kanno on violin and pianist Andy Nercessian, in concert this Sunday, and the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, on Saturday, June 25, both at the Gala Theatre, each starting at 7.30pm.

Apart from the traditional bands, the festival features a mix of other styles of brass-based music, including young US trumpeter Abram Wilson, who will be playing with his sextet at Durham University Music Department, on Palace Green, on Wednesday July 6, at 7.30pm.

Wilson, who is known as The Jazz Warrior, will also lead a number of workshops with brass players and percussionists during the festival.

Other high spots include Karin Krog, Norway's leading jazz singer, appearing with Northern Brass, which is launching its new CD, at Elvet Methodist Church, Old Elvet, on Saturday at 7.30pm.

The festival will be rounded off in style with Latin diva Omara Portuondo, backed by a 13-strong Cuban band, re-creating the sounds of Havana's legendary Buena Vista Club, at the Gala Theatre, on Thursday July 14, at 7.30pm.

Full details of the programme are available by visiting the website at www.brassfestival.co.uk or telephing 0191-301 8245.

Tickets are available from the Gala box office on 0191-332 4041.