AN AWARD winning brass band has performed abroad for the first time in 20 years.
Members of the Reg Vardy Band, formerly known as the Ever Ready Band, were invited to take part in a four-day festival in the south of France.
The band, which is based in Stanley, but whose members come from all over the region, played in the French Reeds Riviera Festival in La Croix Valmer, Nice.
It took part in three parades and concerts, and also performed the entire second half of the Festival Gala Concert.
Members played alongside the Los Angeles Wind Band, The Metz Clarinet Choir and the Hollywood Jazz Big Band.
The invitation came shortly after the band had its best ever result in the All England Masters Championship, taking third place in a competition for the 21 best bands in the country.
Next Saturday the band will parade the Trimdon Grange lodge banner in the Durham Miners' Gala.
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