Sandbach's Foden's Band were pipped at the post at one of the world's leading brass band events but are now looking at their next competition.

They travelled to Birmingham's Symphony Hall at the weekend to compete at the British Open Contest against seventeen of the UK's leading bands as well as the Paris Brass Band.

The contest is regarded as one of the World's leading brass band events due to the quality of bands and all 2300 tickets were sold within two days.

Foden's were placed second with Brighouse & Rastrick band winning but soprano player, Richard Poole, won the award for the best soprano. 

A Foden's spokesperson said: "The test piece that each band performed was composed by Edward Gregson and was entitled 'The World Rejoicing.'

"Despite being a 17 minute work, the music is extremely listenable and proved highly popular with the large audience. 

"Foden's received a fantastic response to their performance and the large majority of audience members and critics were predicting a top two position. 

"The band now look forward to defending their National Title at the Royal Albert Hall in October."