AN EAST Lancashire brass band is performing a concert for local supporters as they head off to compete in national finals.

Darwen Brass have pledged to fly the flag for the North West in the finals of the National Brass Band Championship on September 22.

The group are also performing at Darwen Library Theatre so Darwen folk can join them for an evening of their favourite music. The event aims to give the group, who achieved huge success in regional qualifiers, a great Darwen send off. Their success in making it to the finals of the national championships at Cheltenham Racecourse comes just five years after forming.

The band, which practises at Albert Mill, Lower Darwen, came third out of 25 bands at the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool.

The send-off performance is at the Darwen venue on Saturday September 8 at 7.30pm.