The list of competing bands that will battle it out for the qualification places on offer for the Royal Albert Hall and Cheltenham National Finals at the North of England Championships in Durham have been announced.

The contest will take place at the Gala Theatre, in the heart of the historic city on the weekend of the 16th/17th March, with two qualification places on offer in the Championships Section. Two bands will be invited from the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections to represent the region at Cheltenham.

Welcome return

A total of 40 bands will perform, including the welcome return of the Felling Band who will compete in the Second Section after reforming.

Regional Secretary, Tony Griffiths told 4BR: "We look forward to another strong competitive line-up in all the sections. The banding public are in for a fantastic weekend."

The weekend will commence with the Fourth Section on Saturday 16th March at 11.00am, followed by the Third and First Sections. Sunday starts with the Second Section at 10.30am followed by the Championship Section.

We look forward to another strong competitive line-up in all the sections. The banding public are in for a fantastic weekendRegional Secretary, Tony Griffiths

Competing bands:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Brett Baker & Alan Morrison

Easington Colliery (Daniel Brooks)
East Yorkshire Motor Services (Stig Maersk)
Fishburn (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Harrogate (Leigh Baker)
NASUWT Riverside (David Roberts)
Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)
Shepherd Building Group (Richard Wilton)
York Railway Institute (David Lancaster)
Westoe (Jason Smith)

First Section:

Adjudicators: Alan Fernie & Stan Lippeatt

Ashington Colliery (Nigel Steadman)
G T Group Peterlee (Ian Langthorne)
Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
J36 Brass (Andrew Warriner)
Kirkbymoorside Town (Sarah Woodward)
Ripon City (Mark Sidwell)

Second Section:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston & Alan Fernie

Barton Community (Gary Oglesby)
Cockerton (Andrew Hunter)
Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray)
Dunston Silver (Dean Jones)
East Riding of Yorkshire (Gary Hallas)
Ferryhill Town (Gareth Sykes)
Felling Band (Jason Smith)
NASUWT Concert Brass (Andrew Hall)
North Skelton (Lewis Wilkinson)

Third Section:

Adjudicators: Brett Baker & Stan Lippeatt

Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Phillip Tait)
Billingham Silver (Vaughan Evans)
Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
Ellington Colliery (Claire Winter)
Jayess Newbiggin (Andrew Griffiths)
Knaresborough Silver (Nick Garrett)
Swinton & District Excelsior (Robin Rutter)
Trimdon Concert Brass (William Harrison)

Fourth Section:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston & Benjamin Richeton

Backworth Colliery (Daniel Laverick)
Burneside Brass (Laurie Johnston)
Craghead Colliery (Stephen Goddard)
Lanchester (John Weirs)
Marske (James Chisholm)
Penrith Town (Ian Butterworth)
Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)
Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)