A FORMER colliery brass band is celebrating victory in a national competition.
Pride Valley Brass, named after the Seaham speciality bread maker, clinched the second section championship, in the mineworkers' championship, at Blackpool.
For 80 years, the band was called Silksworth Colliery Band.
After the mine, on the outskirts of Sunderland, closed, it was sponsored by city brewers Vaux, until the firm's demise last year.
Pride Valley Foods managing director Andrew Cross said: "This is a fantastic win, beating off stiff competition from brass bands across the UK.
"Pride Valley is proud to be associated with the band which is a part of local history.''
Band leader Bob Morton said: "I am absolutely delighted. We pulled out all the stops and gave a superb performance.
"The excellent team spirit within the band, recent additional new players, and Pride Valley Foods as our sponsor is obviously a winning combination.
"I have no doubt of our continued success.'
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