The English National Brass Band Championships suffered a further body blow on the weekend with the news that the current West of England champion, flowers, has decided to withdraw from this year’s contest.

Busy

Flowers Band spokesperson Steve Jones told 4BR: "The decision was made after qualification to the National Championship finals was secured. This coupled with our invitation to Brass in Concert later in the year and an already busy month of June was the reason for the withdrawal."

We not only had to weigh up the financial side of things, but also with June being a busy month for us, something had to giveFlowers Band

Something had to give

He added: "We not only had to weigh up the financial side of things, but also with June being a busy month for us, something had to give. We hope to return to Preston next year as representatives of the South West."

4BR understands that the contest organisers have now invited Fishburn to replace Flowers at Preston in June.