BRASS musicians in the Valleys have been celebrating after becoming national champions in just two years.

The Ebbw Valley Brass band hit the high notes as they scooped a section 4 champion band award at the National Brass Band Championships on Saturday.

The 28-piece group was formed in September 2011 as a result of a merger between the former Ebbw Vale Town Band and Cwm Town Band.

Band secretary Dean Woods, of Holland Street, Ebbw Vale, said: “The last two years has been a rollercoaster of success and this is the icing on the cake.”

Ebbw Valley Brass have now gained promotion to section 3, the league above, and are looking forward to developing further.

They won the award in Cheltenham after giving what has been described as a commanding performance of Philip Sparke’s A Malvern Suite.

Principal cornet player, Nanette Jones, also won a best instrumentalist award.

Ebbw Valley Brass are on Facebook. For more information email baritrock81@aol.com