The Phoenix Brass Band, with players drawn from bands at Goodwick, Milford and Pembroke, won a British title at their first attempt at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Set up only two years ago, Phoenix produced a remarkable performance to beat 18 other bands from all over the country to lift the Fourth Section title in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, performing the test piece, Kantara by Kenneth Downie.

Conducted by Luke Jenkins, they won the National Challenge Trophy and a prize of £1,000 plusthe award for Best Instrumentalist for Luke's brother Matthew Jenkins on euphonium.

The band, who qualified for the national finals by winning the Welsh Regionals at Swansea in March, earned considerable praise from adjudicators Dr Bob Childs and Gary Davies.

Commenting on the Phoenix performance of Kantara, Dr. Childs summed up: "An excellent show – bravo!" while Gary Davies added: "This was an excellent performance. Well done soloist, band and musical director."

Luke Jenkins, who plays principal cornet for Goodwick Brass Band, now competing at Championship level, was delighted to win his first national title as a conductor. "It was incredible," he said. "I knew we had put on a great performance but you never know if that's what the judges are looking for! I can't thankthe players enough for their commitment to rehearsals over the last few months."

Matthew Jenkins, who conducts the Goodwick senior band, thoroughly enjoyed going back to his playing days and adding another title to his collection.

Next week, on Saturday 1 October, both the Goodwick and the Phoenix bands will be taking part in the West Wales Championships at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Fishguard.