A VILLAGE band is hoping help from local firms will lead to success in the national brass band championships.

Bratton Silver Band members aim to be fresh as daisies when they arrive at the annual championships in Scotland, for they hope to fly up from Bristol in September instead of having to travel by road.

Trowbridge firm Howard Travel is the latest to boost their £4,500 appeal, with a cheque for £200.

Bandmaster Carol Bowes said: "This is quite an achievement for a small village band. We have reached the finals twice in our

200-year history but this time we hope to improve on our mid-table finishes."

In 1992 the band reached the finals at Wembley Conference Centre and then repeated their success in 1994 in Cardiff. Band members have recently welcomed Trowbridge's Maria Fricker as new musical director following the retirement of Vic Beer after 50 years.

The national finals take place in September and band members still need extra sponsorship money to compete.