MUSICIANS with Shrewton Silver Band are preparing for their second appearance in the national brass band championships in successive years.

Last year, the band made it through to the national finals for the first time in its 170-year history and finished in 17th place.

It has qualified again this year and musical director Michael Dunford is quietly confident it can improve its position in October, when it will appear in the finals at Harrowgate.

He said: "It is noticeable that fewer people are asking where Shrewton is - we are most definitely well established on the brass band map. It has been an incredible journey with a fantastic group of local people, who are enjoying their hobby.

"Where and when will it end... who knows... national champions? Stranger things have happened."

Mr Dunford took over as musical director in September 1998, when the band was languishing at the lower end of the fourth section in both local and national tables.

In April 1999, under his baton, the band gained its first national contest result, and over the next three years returned results of fourth, seventh and sixth, enough to promote Shrewton to the third section.

The big break came in the Wessex Brass Band Association's winter competition, when it climbed from the association's fourth section to the championship section in successive years.

In March 2004, in just its second year in the third section, Shrewton qualified for the national finals for the first time in its history.

In February this year, in Torquay, the band was one of the top two bands to qualify - not the top three, as in previous years.

Mr Dunford said: "We had an excellent rehearsal in the hotel and on stage the band were magnificent."