The organisers of the North of England Regional Championships have announced the line up of 40 bands and adjudication panels for the weekend of competition to be held at Durham's Gala Theatre on the 22nd & 23rd March.

Saturday kicks-off with the First Section at noon, followed by Section Four and Three. The following day will start at 10.30am with the Second Section followed by the Championship Section.

Two bands in each section be invited to represent the region at the Cheltenham and London National Finals. Tewit Community Band makes a welcome debut at the event this year.

Regional Secretary Tony Griffiths told 4BR: "We are grateful for the continued support by all sections of our community to enable us to present our contest. The Regional Committee send its best wishes to all bands, and their supporters for the upcoming contest."

Adjudicators

Championship Section: Melvin White and Sam Fisher
First Section: Andrea Price and Sam Fisher
Second Section: Andrea Price and Mark Wilkinson
Third Section: Mark Wilkinson and Melvin White
Fourth Section: Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale and Duncan Beckley

Tickets are now available from the Gala Theatre at £8 in advance or £10 on the day or £15 for a weekend ticket. Under 16's entry is free, when accompanied by an adult.

Championship Section:

Sunday 23rd March
Start: After Second Section
Adjudicators: Melvin White and Sam Fisher

Easington Colliery (Allan Withington)
EverReady (Stephen Roberts)
Fishburn (Ray Farr)
City of Hull (Jonathan Beatty)
Kirkbymoorside Town (Sarah Woodward)
NASUWT Riverside (Prof. Nicholas Childs)
Shepherd Brass (Richard Wilton)
Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
York Railway Institute (Dr David Lancaster)

First Section:

Saturday 22nd March
Draw: 10.30am
Start: Noon
Adjudicators: Andrea Price and Sam Fisher

Cockerton Prize Silver (Andrew Hunter)
Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray)
GT Group Peterlee (Gareth Sykes)
Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
Houghton Brass (Aidan Hodgson)
North Skelton Band (Tim Oldroyd)
Ripon City (TBC)

Second Section:

Sunday 23rd March
Draw: 9.00am
Start: 10.30am
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson and Andrea Price.

Ashington Colliery (Nigel Stedman)
Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Steve Robson)
Dunston Silver (Fraser Hodgson)
Ellington Colliery (Clare Winter)
Ferryhill Town (Jonathan Fenwick)
Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
Jayess Newbiggin Brass (Andrew Warriner)
NASUWT Concert (Brian Thompson)
Westoe (David Roberts)

Third Section:

Saturday 22nd March
Draw: 3.00pm
Start: After Fourth Section
Adjudicators: Melvin White and Mark Wilkinson.

Barton Community (Gary Oglesby)
Craghead Colliery (Stephen Goddard)
East Riding of Yorkshire (Fiona Bishop)
Flookburgh Silver (John Iveson)
North Lakes Brass (Gareth Sykes)
Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)
Trimdon Brass (Andrew Hall)

Fourth Section:

Saturday 22nd March
Draw 12:30
Start: After First Section
Adjudicators: Duncan Beckley and Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale.

Backworth Colliery (Chris Travis)
Billingham Silver (Garrie Harvey)
Burneside Brass (Dave Higson)
Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
Knaresborough Silver (Nicolas Garrett)
Penrith Town (Ian Butterworth)
Swinton & District Excelsior (Robin Rutter)
Tewit Community Band (John Belton)