Brassband enthusiasts shared a musical treat at Whit Friday’s Saddleworth & Oldham District Championship.

Despite driving rain and bitter winds they turned out in droves across the Pennines villages to see magical performances by top UK bands and visitors from the continent.

Brighouse & Rastrick scooped victories at Delph, Denshaw, Dobcross, Greenfield, Grotton and Lydgate plus a host of instrumental awards.

The Fairey Band came runner-up for a third year in a row, and, the brad band website 4bar rest,com report First Section Oldham (Lees) took the final podium slot for the second successive year.

Leyland, Rothwell Temperance and Marsden Silver completed the overall top-six placings.

Delph topped the village list of performances with 79 bsnds entertaining a vast appreciative audience.

Robert Rodgers, chair of the village band committee coordinator of the whole area event, said: “Despite the terrible weather the contest really lived up to its title as the greatest free show in earth.

“Everyone had a great time,” he added.

GMP said no incidents were reported at the event.