IT seems the rivalry between Oxford and Swindon isn't just confined to football nowadays.

Robin Taylor and William Membury, of Jubilee Brass Oxford, were pictured "squaring" up to Mary Martin and Karen Skuse of the Swindon Pegasus Brass.

It was all part of Sunday's annual winter contest organised by the Oxford and District Brass Band Association.

More than 30 bands from across the county descended on Woodstock's Marlborough School.

Cornet player Mr Taylor said: "It was a really good day, we have a big national competition soon so this was a good warm up for that."

Co-organiser Jemma Evans said it had been a record-breaking year for the competition.

She said: "The whole day was really smoothly run, in the end I was there for 14 hours but I had such a good time.

"Two years ago we had 24 bands competing, it had a slight dip but now that number has shot up."

Winners on the day included the Kidlington Concert Band, who triumphed in the 1st section.

Nine-year-old Anna Hipkiss, who plays in Yarnton, was also honoured for being the youngest performer.

Bands will be competing at the London and Southern Counties area finals on March 19 and 20.