YORK'S Sea Cadets have played their way to victory in the Eastern Area Sea Cadet Band Competition.

The event drew Sea Cadet bands from all over the country to perform.

Training Ship York's band, which was formed in October 2001, won three trophies at the competition, held in the picturesque grounds of Lincoln Castle.

The awards ranged from the trophy for Best Contest Band to the runners-up prize for Best Dressed Band.

There were also individual honours for Petty Officer Cadet Steve Brown as the best solo drummer.

But the biggest prize of the day was the Philip Thompson Memorial Trophy, in which York beat the National Sea Cadet Champions.

The original piece of music, which was written by Steve, was entitled Bon Espoir, or Good Hope, which is the motto of the Cadet's affiliated ship HMS York.

This year was the first time since 1986 that the band had entered the competition, though four individual members did win similar honours last year.

York was also was one of the smallest cadet bands performing on the day, though the judges paid them the accolade of being the "most formidable".

Parade nights for York Sea Cadet Band are held every Monday and Friday evenings from 7pm until 9.30pm, with practices at 6.45pm on Wednesdays.

Updated: 10:55 Wednesday, July 16, 2003