CHAMPIONSHIP brass band, City of Bradford Brass - which started life at the turn of the 20th century as Salts Mill Band - is to make its first visit to Skipton Town Hall with a concert on Saturday.

The award winning outfit, which took the title The City of Bradford Brass Band in 2009 - in its past life it had been, amongst others, Hammonds Hawley Brass Band and Yorkshire Building Society Concert Brass - will take to the stage at 7.30pm.

It is conducted by the "charismatic" Lee Skipsey and the concert will include a guest appearance from mezzo soprano Claire McKay.

A band spokeswoman said: "In 2006, the Yorkshire Building Society unfortunately had to withdraw their funding and the band became an entity in its own right.

"In 2009 it was decided that a new direction was needed and after a discussion with Bradford Council the band was given the permission to use the city’s coat of arms and officially name themselves the City of Bradford Brass Band."

In 2010 the band competed in the second section at the Northern Open Brass Band Championships and secured first place.

It has come fourth in the Butlins Mineworkers Championships and taken home several trophies at the Whit Friday March Contest, Hebden Bridge March Contest, and the Morley March and Hymn Tune Contest.

In 2013 the band was promoted to the first section and came third in the Yorkshire Area Brass Band Championships narrowly missing out on promotion to the Championship section.

The band also performs at numerous charity events and has raised money for a wide variety of causes.

Tickets are £10 (£8 for concessions) and are available from Skipton Town Hall.