Belgians lead the Scottish charge at the National Finals

Two Belgians will be leading our Scottish contenders at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain this weekend.

Musical directors Luc Vertommen and Glenn Van Looy will be fronting current Scottish champions Whitburn and Scottish Open champions the cooperation band respectively when they take to the stage in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.

The two bands will be among 20 competitors vying for the Challenge trophy which will be determined by the best performance of the test piece Of Men and Mountains by Edward Gregson, as judged by Dr Robert Childs, Dr Stephen Cobb and Prof Roger Webster.

An open rehearsal is being held by the cooperation band on Thursday at 7.30pm in the Bellshill Salvation Army Hall before the trip south.

Whitburn Band will have the honour of performing in the pre-results ceremony Gala Concert with top trumpet soloist Mike Lovatt.

Best wishes and good luck to both bands. If you wish to cheer them on in person, you can purchase tickets here.

A feature on Of Men and Mountains is to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3's flagship arts magazine programme Music Matters on the morning of the event.

Edward Gregson has been interviewed by presenter Tom Service about his work, along with the views of some of the players of the defending champion Foden's.

The broadcast is at 11.45am on Saturday. More details here.