DARWEN Brass will get £2,000 towards the cost of its appearance in the national championships from the town council.

Granting the cash unanimously, the politicians vowed to make the band a key part of the community’s heritage.

The band has agreed to play three free concerts in the town in return for the grant towards the cost of the trip to Cheltenham Racecourse in September.

Marsh House Liberal Democrat Simon Hugill said he wanted to see seven-year-old Darwen Brass achieve the same status in the town as colliery bands had achieved in former Yorkshire pit villages.

In March, it won the North West regional heats in Blackpool landing the committee with a bill of around £7,000 to get there.

Three years ago the band performed at the National Brass Band Championships coming fifth.

Coun Hugill told Darwen Town Council: “Three years ago we give the band £2,000 towards the cost of around £7,000 for going to the national championships.

“I propose that we do the same.”

Deputy chairman Trevor Maxfield proposed that in return Darwen Brass should play three free concerts in the town as part of a bid to establish the band as key part of the heritage and community of the town.

Coun Hugill said: “I would love to see Darwen Brass achieve the same status as part of the heritage of the town as colliery bands have in the former pit villages of Yorkshire.”

Band treasurer and solo trombone player Matt Haworth said: “I am delighted. It’s great news for the band.

“We have only been going seven years and consider ourselves Darwen’s band and very much part of the local community.

“We would love to achieve the same status within Darwen as the brass bands in Yorkshire have. We want to be in the hearts and souls of the people of Darwen.

“The band will happily pay three concerts in the town for the council.

“The details will have to be worked out but we really appreciate its support.

“As the treasurer looking for £7,000 towards the costs of the national final, I particularly appreciate this grant.

“We currently play ten to a dozen concerts a year in the town and have one planned before the finals in September to raise money, show our appreciation to the people of Darwen and give them a taste of our competition performance.”