A BOLTON school band was on top of the world today -- after winning the World music Contest for the second time.

Smithills' senior brass band, conducted by Head of Music Chris Wormald, were the toast of Holland where the contest took place.

As the band returned to school to be congratulated by pupils and staff, Mr Wormald said: "We are absolutely delighted.

"This proves that the first time we won was no fluke. It was hard to win, but it is a lot harder not to give the title away again. We are on a roll, and it seems the harder we work the better it gets."

The pupils are looking forward to taking more honours when the Senior Wind Band travel to Holland later this month for the World Championships.

The senior brass band put on a magnificent show in the contest, which is held every four years.

To be awarded the coveted gold medal, bands needed to score a minimum of 80 points from the maximum possible 100 from the international panel of jurors led by legendary Swiss brass soloist and conductor Marcus Bach.

Principal Cornet Selina Gavan, aged 16, led the band to victory with a score of 87.5 points from the jury, beating Norwegian rivals Forre Musikkorps Band, who scored 83 points.

Selina said: "It is brilliant. We have put lots of hard work in and it has finally paid off. We have done lots of rehearsals, we are very determined and we work well as a team."

The young musicians will have hardly had time to pause for breath before they are on their way to London tomorrow to the Royal Festival Hall for the National Festival of Music for Youth Finals 2001. They will be joined by the Senior Wind Band, who are also in the London National Finals.

The school would like to thank their sponsors: Keoghs Solicitors, Georgia-Pacific, GB Ltd, ICL Fujitsu and Wallace Printers.