Never mind Brassed Off – the renowned Hitchin Band are heading for a heart-warming story of their own as they head for the ‘Premier League’ of brass bands!

The much-loved band who celebrated their 150th birthday last year are a single point away from competing at the top level of national bands following another successful regional round of the British Brass Band Championships.

The band also qualified for prestigious national finals later this year at a hotly-contested competition held at Stevenage’s Gordon Craig Theatre at the weekend.

Their ongoing success marks their meteoric rise through the ranks after promotion from the third and second tiers of brass band competition.

The band also released a CD called ‘Because’ back in December, which celebrates the band’s history and successes and is still available to buy from Hitchin Initiative and Henderson’s on Market Place.

Mike Thorn from the band told the Comet: “It was an awesome day for Hitchin band. We’re absolutely delighted.

“We had a top three placing for the second year running in the first section – which means we are going to the national finals held in Cheltenham in September.

“We’re also only one point away from promotion to the championship section – which is the equivalent of the Premier League in football!”

As a legacy of last year’s 150th anniversary, the band launched a section called the Hitchin Community Brass which means the organisation now runs three brass bands including Hitchin Youth Band.