MUSICIANS from Kidsgrove Scouts warmed up for this year's drum corps World Championships by winning a national competition heat in Stoke-on-Trent.

The reigning national champions were one of nine bands competing in heats for the drum corps Music in Motion event at Northwood Stadium yesterday.

Described as a "theatre production on a football field", the show was enjoyed by more than 1,000 spectators.

The bands competed using their flags, brass instruments and technical movements to impress the judges.

Kidsgrove Scouts' drum corps, who are also ranked second in Europe, set the standard for the event, by topping the judging tables and now go through to the final in September.

Group leader John Swindells, aged 64, said: "The music is a mixture of modern jazz and re-arranged well-known songs which is combined with movement.

"We have 80 members this year, making us one of the biggest in the country. "That's visually beneficial because we can fill the field and musically it gives a solid sound coming from the 40 brass players.

"We rehearse once a fortnight and our senior group has an age range of between 14 and 38.

"This year we are lucky to have such numbers, as many former members have rejoined to mark the centenary."

The scout group is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and preparing for its first tour of the U.S. east coast as part of the international drum corps circuit, competing in the World Championships.

In the competitions, each band has between nine and 13 minutes to impress.

Mark Gutteridge, vice-chairman of the national organisation Marching and Performing Arts United Kingdom, said: "Success always breeds success and Kidsgrove Scouts are setting the bar in terms of marching bands nationally.

"Their staff are motivated, the members are talented and the group's 100-year history encourages consistency and a high standard.

"They are aiming to retain the British Championships in Mansfield in September and win in Europe this year.

"They will be travelling to the U.S. in August and I think they will do very well."

Kevin Spruce, aged 53, a lawyer from Kidsgrove, has three children in the junior corps in the Kidsgrove band; Erin, aged 14, 12-year-old Kieran and Fintan, aged nine.

He said: "Being in the band creates an inner confidence in the youngsters which filters into their social lives, friendships and abilities.

"The musicality of the band helps to support music lessons at school and also gives them an opportunity to travel."