A renowned brass band will perform at St Helens Town Hall next month to celebrate the 175th anniversary of one of the borough’s oldest churches.

Black Dyke Band, named the National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain a record 22 times, will stage the concert on Thursday, February 7.

It will launch the 175th Anniversary Celebrations of Christ Church Eccleston, and help raise money for the Church’s Building for the Future Fund.

Hailing from West Yorkshire, the famous band’s accolades also include BBC Band of the Year and European Champions.

Celebrations organiser Jean Brownbill, whose husband Malcolm is a professional conductor and brass band adjudicator, said: “When we were planning special events for our 175th celebrations in 2013, a concert by the Black Dyke Band was top of our wish list.

“They are the crème de la crème of Brass Bands and I knew it would be a real coup if we could get them.”

Tickets for the concert, which is being supported by St Helens Council, are priced at £15.

Jean added: “As well as selling tickets in Church, Tyrers have kindly agreed to sell tickets for us and people can also apply by sending a cheque through the post to me.

“We started selling them in December and within a couple of weeks had sold half the allocation.

“We’re getting enquiries from all over the North West, it’s fantastic.”

Anyone wanting tickets for the event can buy them at Tyrers Department store in St Helens, in Christ Church itself, or by sending a cheque (payable to Christ Church BFF) and self-addressed envelope to: Jean Brownbill, 49 Pike House Rd, Eccleston, St Helens WA10 5JZ.

Enquiries can be made with Jean Brownbill direct on 01744 28642.