This year's festival will be looking back at the great days of Belle Vue, Manchester, which, from 1853 to 1981, was the home of the British Open Brass Band Championship and a venue which is fondly remembered by the brass band community and the people of Manchester.

The festival will showcase the world's finest brass bands, ensembles and soloists, with The Black Dyke Band and The Fairley Band in the gala evening concert from 7.15pm. Also appearing in the gala evening concert will be two of the world's finest cornet soloists - Roger Webster, principal cornet of the Black Dyke Band and David Daws, formerly principal cornet play of The International Staff Band of The Salvation Army.

For more information call 0161 907 9000.

Big brass sound