Toot your horn in celebration as Clackmannan District Brass Band (CDBB) has been crowned Scottish 1st Section Band of the Year.

The group will now move up to the Championship division for 2013.

CDBB's president Julie Johnston praised the fantastic achievement, granted by the Scottish Brass Band Association.

She told the Advertiser, "This is a great reward and is the icing on the cake for all the efforts that everyone has put into all the contests that we have entered throughout the year." As reported previously, in March they beat nine other bands to take home the Scottish 1st Section champions 2012 title - the first time in the group's 21-year history that they topped the regional finals.

In September they adventured to Cheltenham and did the county proud by finishing an impressive seventh in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under the direction of conductor Paul McKelvie OBE.

They also came a credible third earlier this month at the Scottish Shield competition in Perth.

Julie added, "2013 will be a big challenge for the band to perform at the top level of brass banding. Our first and biggest challenge will also be to compete against all the other Championship Section bands at the Scottish Championships in March, so there is no time to sit back and relax on this year's achievements." CDBB wished to thank all those who have shown their support throughout the year.

For more information on Clackmannan District Brass Band, go to www.clackmannanbrass.co.uk or www.facebook.com/ClackmannanDistrictBrassBand. New brass players will be welcomed to the ensemble.