A PAIR of musical stalwarts will share the limelight as they entertain the King and Queen of Sweden on Saturday.

Normally used to competing against one another in local contests, James Chisholm and Stuart Shields will call a truce to join the Swedish Dragoon Regimental Brass Band for a one-off concert.

The two, who have both played brass instruments since childhood, were hand-picked for the honour by conductor, Captain Alan Lewis. They will also take centre stage for solos.

Mr Chisholm, 22, of Stirling Road, Redcar, said he will enjoy meeting his old foe on friendlier terms.

"I know Stuart very well, and my band, the Ever Ready Band, often competes against his, the Easington Colliery Band," he said. "For this concert, we'll be trying to show the foreign band what British bands have got."

Mr Chisholm, who is studying law at the University of Northumbria, began playing the cornet at the age of ten, soon afterwards joining the South Bank Brass Band.

His illustrious career has included stints with the National Youth Brass Band and performances at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Shields, 34, draws on his long experience of playing the euphonium to give demonstrations to schoolchildren as part of his job with the North of England organisation Dennis Todd Music.

Mr Chisholm said: "This invitation is a great honour and has got to be one of the highlights of my playing career.