Goodwick Brass Band is celebrating another important step to the top levels of British competition after coming runners up in the Senior Trophy competition at Blackpool's prestigious invitation-only Spring Festival.

This gains them promotion to Senior Cup level next year, when they will be vying for a place in the British Open Championships.

It was the first time that Goodwick have been invited to participate in the Blackpool Festival and Matthew Jenkins and his band were delighted to come home from the long journey north with the North West Counties Brass Bands Association Trophy and £400 in prize money.

In battling to second place in the Senior Trophy, Goodwick overcame 18 very experienced bands including Tylorstown.

"We were without several of our regular players," said Matthew, "It is a tough time for the younger members of the band who are preparing for school exams but everyone worked very hard to master a challenging test piece. Finishing runner-up to Filton Concert Brass Bristol and beating so many other top bands was a great achievement."

Judges in the Senior Trophy competition at Blackpool's famous Winter Gardens commended

Goodwick on a beautiful performance of the complex test piece James Cook – Circumnavigator.

Adjudicators Dr David Thornton and Sandy Smith both praised Goodwick for a well- directed performance which was full of drama and had a fantastic ending that really painted a picture of explorer James Cook's death.