MUSICAL couple Alan and Donna Lewis are trumpeting the success of their band after it clinched a national title.

The Bury pair joined colleagues from Leyland Band to compete in the All England Masters Competition, held in Cambridge last weekend.

The couple, of Mitzpah Grove, Elton, have played in the band for two years, and were up against members of 20 other brass ensembles. Competing bands were asked to play Chivalry, by composer Martin Ellerbey.

And it was the Leyland version, led by Grimethorpe Colliery Band conductor Garry Cutt, that was judged the best.

The band, which has no sponsor, won a much-needed cash prize of £3,500.

Tenor horn player Donna and Alan, on cornet, first played together 17 years ago.

They won the British Open championships in 1989 with the Kennedys Swinton Band.

Donna said: "As a couple we met through brass bands and for us to have won two major contests together is wonderful.

"Most of the top brass bands are sponsored, and for an unsponsored band to win this is quite a feat. It is one of the most important events in the brass band calendar, and the prize money will be an enormous lift for us."

There was also an opportunity for Donna to play a solo tenor horn version of the Les Miserables favourite 'I Dreamed a Dream' in a gala concert held to accompany the Masters competition.

Her piece, along with the band's winning rendition, will feature on a CD to be released later this year.

PERFECT HARMONY: Alan and Donna Lewis helped Leyland Band blow away the competition at the All England Masters.