RAINFORD Band is riding on the crest of a wave after celebrating its fourth contest victory this season.

The band, a member of the North West Counties Brass Bands Association, has notched up wins at Fleetwood, Widnes, Preston and Tameside, ensuring that the band wins promotion to the second section next season.

The success coincides with the band's silver jubilee and among events to mark the anniversary are a spring Proms Concert to be held in the Rainford High School arts theatre on Saturday, May 12, a summer pops concert in July and a joint concert with the Rainford High School choir, also in July.

Meanwhile, the band is also preparing to take part in the famous Whit Friday march contests held in the Pennine towns on the Lancashire and Yorkshire border.

Rainford Band comprises a wide range of members and is led by musical director, Lynda Nicholson, who also conducts the championship-winning St Helens Youth Brass Band. The band rehearses in one of the finest bandrooms in the area, which was partially funded with National Lottery money.

A major project on the agenda is the purchase of a new set of uniforms, for which the band has established a fund-raising project among friends and supporters.

Band chairman Martin Rigby said: "We are delighted with the progress the band has made over the last two years and we are looking forward to our silver jubilee celebrations. Hopefully, we will be able to have our new uniforms in time for the July concerts and kick off the next 25 years in fine style.

"We have been very lucky over the years to have the full support of the local community, particularly Rainford Parish Council and local businesses. It is quite unusual for a band of our standard to run without any form of sponsorship but we have been able to maintain our status through our own fund-raising efforts and the community of Rainford".

Meanwhile, due to university commitments of some members, the band is looking to fill one or two positions, including second trombone, solo horn and B flat bass. Anyone interested in these or other positions should contact Geoff Hunter on 01744 882061.