A PRESTONPANS band has been invited to represent East Lothian and Scotland in the world’s oldest music contest.

D&M Brass Band took third place at the Fife Brass Band Festival last last month.

The band also won the award for the best tuba section in the contest.

The competition attracts bands from across the country and offers the chance to represent East Lothian and Scotland at the British Open series of contests, the world’s oldest music contest, which has been running since 1853.

The band has been invited to participate in the upcoming spring festival contest in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens next May.

D&M Brass Band was formed in 1989 when the Dalkeith and Monktonhall bands merged in Prestonpans.

At the contest, the band performed a rendition of composer Philip Wilby’s challenging piece Red Priest, a concerto inspired by Vivaldi's works.

They also played the tune Love Unknown, performed by flugel player Bradley Doran, and the naval march On the Quarterdeck by Kenneth Alford.

The band was directed by Jim Chamberlain, who lives in Edinburgh.

They were narrowly beaten into third place by two points, behind the Fife champion band and the current Scottish champions.

Heather Henderson, band secretary, said: "This year has seen the band perform at community events and concerts all across Scotland, and our first time performing at Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick in August.

"This result reflects the amount of dedication and commitment put in by our members and is a well-deserved reward.

"We’re starting to draw our plans for the trip south in the spring."