Smithills School Senior Brass Band have plenty to blow their own trumpets about - and in April they will be doing it in Norway.

The national brass band champions are heading out to the Scandinavian country for the trip of a lifetime to take part in a gala concert as guest of honour at the Norwegian National Brass Band Championships.

But before the 46 pupils can pack up their instruments £12,000 needs to be raised so that each band member only has to contribute £50 towards the five day tour. The school band has ventured abroad before to Bolton's twin towns in France and Germany, but the Norway visit is their furthest and most prestigious yet.

The invitation to take part in the concert came after Norwegian representatives heard the band play at London's Royal Albert Hall in November and were impressed with the standard.

And the tour, which will have the pupils staying with Norwegian pupils, rounds off a hectic year for the musicians, which has included radio and TV broadcasts as well as winning the national school brass band championships. "This is the tour to end all tours. We will really have to do something special to top this," said Smithills' head of music, Chris Wormald.

The band already has £3,000 towards the cost of the trip through donations from local businesses keen to support them.

But the pupils and staff are working hard to raise the rest of the cash themselves.

On February 11 they are holding a non-stop sponsored rehearsal followed by their Big Band putting on a 1940s night at the school on March 2. And the stars of sport and stage have rallied round to provide items to be auctioned at the school on March 13.

The goodies on sale include a pair of Chris Eubank's boxing gloves, a Phantom of the Opera mask, a cricket bat signed by the England team and another autographed by John Major.

For more details and tickets contact the school on Bolton 842382.

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