Reg Vardy's seemingly impregnable dominance of the North of England Area was dented this year as they were toppled by first-time winners Felling. Later the same day, Redbridge Brass was denied a double hat-trick in the London Area by another first-time winner, Zone One Brass.

Reg Vardy's slip-up allowed Cory to close the gap at the top to four, with Co-operative Funeralcare, Black Dyke and Desford Colliery also enjoying the latest in a long line of successful area performances.

Leyland and Flowers secured their 9th and 7th area titles respectively to lie just below the list of bands with 10 or more titles, which now read as follows:

33 wins - Reg Vardy

29 - Cory

21 - Virtuosi GUS

20 - Camborne Town, Co-operative Funeralcare

19 - Black Dyke

18 - Brighouse & Rastrick, Foden's

15 - Parc & Dare, Exchange Communications Whitburn, Desford Colliery

14 - CWS (Manchester), Sun Life, Redbridge Brass

13 - Morris Concert, Fairey

11 - Crookhall Bradley, Grimethorpe Colliery

10 - St Dennis, Hanwell, Tredegar