A BRASS band has played its way into raising more than £10,000 and a ticket to London.

Wingates Brass Band is celebrating reaching the target needed to fund a trip to the capital city to play in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Members secured their place in the competition earlier this year and the October 8 finals will be the first time the band has reached the competition in 11 years.

The cost of the journey, rehearsal space and accommodation, had to be raised by the band through an appeal and fundraisers — including a sponsored brass performance marathon.

The challenge, which saw band members taking part in a 24-hour non-stop performance, took place last weekend and helped raise £4,000 and saw them reach the London trip target.

Band secretary and tuba player Dave Houghton said: "We are over the moon and were speechless when we realised how much had been donated!

"We had a couple of donations of £250 and a lot of other smaller donations. basically everyone pulled together and helped.

"It was a massive pressure on the band that has now been lifted. The members give so much time and effort all for free and this money means we can get down to London, stay and get a good place to rehearse ahead of the competition."

The brass marathon saw members performing in a rally-style event at their rehearsal rooms in The Band Hall, Wingates, Westhoughton.

Performances were broadcast through their Facebook page and it was open to the public for visits.

Mr Houghton adds: "We were trying to do it in shifts and people were sleeping in the rehearsal rooms and we also had other bands including a few members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

"We were putting up videos ever hour and there were plenty of people watching it through that and coming in to see us. It was really successful, more than we could have even hoped for!"

Wingates – which has members aged from 17 years old to their 60s – qualified for the finals in Blackpool in February.

It has now raised £10,700, with the extra money going towards the upkeep of instruments and other band necessities.

Before heading off for London, members will be hosting one final event in form of a concert, aptly titled The Big Send Off.

It will take place this Saturday at Bolton Little Theatre and feature Journey of the Lone Wolf, the band’s performance piece for the competition, and other concert pieces.

To purchase tickets contact Mr Houghton on 07702871865 or send an email to davehoughton@live.co.uk.