Marching bands from across the region will gather in Malvern Link for the West Mercia Championships.

The event, hosted by Malvern Lynx Marching Band, takes place at Morgan's Field, behind the RSRE Social Club on Spring Lane, between 10am and 5pm on Sunday (May 29).

About 14 bands will be competing for various titles, although, as hosts, Malvern Lynx are prevented from taking part in the competition.

There will also be fair rides, stalls, sideshows and a car boot sale.

Admission is 50p, with proceeds going to the Malvern Lynx Marching Band, which was formed by Malcolm Fish in 1983 as a carnival and display band.

"I ran a youth club at St Matthias's Church and decided it was time to do something else," he said.

Starting from scratch, he recruited members and began fundraising to get the band on the road.

They had their first official engagement 12 months later.

In 1988, the band was accepted as a member of the Valley League of Jazz Bands and began competing around Wales.

It has since taken part in league and national competitions all over the UK.

There are now 36 members, ranging in aged from eight to 40. They meet twice weekly for practice, in preparation for the competition season, which runs from April to November.

This year, the band's biggest competition will be the World Championships in Wolverhampton, where they hope to compete in the new senior section.

Mr Fish said he thought the success of the band was down to the family atmosphere.

His son-in-law plays bass, one of his daughters plays glockenspiel and the other is the band's leader.

"It's about a togetherness," he said. "The whole band is like a family and there's always an open door."

Anyone who would like to join Malvern Linx Marching Band should call Mr Fish on 01684 564233.