Five years ago they did not have any instruments and now they are the British champions.

When the Southern Aurora Drum and Bugle Band was formed in 1995, youngsters aged between 13 and 25 soon started jumping on the bandwagon and the Woodingdean-based band started to succeed.

The 45-strong American-style marching band have worked their way up the classes of the national competitions.

They have now been crowned as the champion British Youth Marching Band.

Stuart Nicholson, chairman of the band's management committee, said: "We had a five-year plan to get from the bottom to the top.

"The members have worked really hard to get this.

"They are a dedicated and disciplined lot who are part of a successful team."

The winning performance was put together under the guidance of corps director Malcolm Catt to an arrangement of music by Leonard Bernstein.

Band practice, usually twice a week, will soon start again for next year's performance.