SUCCESS is crystal clear for Bolton's leading young band members after sweeping everything before them this year.

Smithills School's Senior Brass Band has won every competition it has entered this year - including being crowned the world's best.

Teacher and band supremo Chris Wormald has been hailed Classic FM's Music Teacher of the Year and the band has thrilled audiences with a special concert at London's prestigious Albert Hall.

But they saved the best until last by sweeping the board at the Youth Brass Festival coming away with four top-flight trophies.

The festival, held at Tameside Hippodrome, saw the Smithills Seniors walk away with Best Cornet Player thanks to principal player Selina Govan, aged 17.

Colleague Aidan Smith, aged 17, walked away with the title Best Tenor Horn while band members Gary Talbot, aged 16, Andrew Swinton, aged 17, Daniel Brimley, aged 16, and Nicholas Hurst, also aged 16, picked up the award for Best Brass Section.

On top of all that Mr Wormald was honoured when the band was crowned Overall Champions in the seven-strong field of entrants.

As well as walking away with an entire set of stylish crystal trophies, the school band earned close to £1,500 in prize money for its day's work.

A delighted Mr Wormald said: "This latest victory for Smithills completes the most remarkable year ever in the nine year history of the band.

"It is a tribute to the dedication, commitment, talent, consistency and, thankfully, continuing and genuine modesty on the part of all the players at Smithills."

Meanwhile, Smithills School Senior Brass Band can be seen and heard at the following venues over Christmas:

Tomorrow: Gospell Hall Christmas Concert & Carols at 7pm.

Saturday: Old Links Golf Club Christmas Evening at 8pm.

December 20: BBC GMR Christmas Concert & Recording, Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester at 7.30pm.

December 23: Theatre Church Christmas Evensong at 6.30pm.

December 24: Smithills & Heaton Conservative Club at 8pm.