TEN Royal Navy bands will provide a day’s free musical entertainment as they battle it out for the honour of Britain’s top volunteer naval band.

Portsmouth Guildhall and the square in front of it will host the annual contest which features a mix of marching /pageantry, followed by a festival of music, on Saturday July 14.

Bands – comprising civilian and military personnel – from HMS Nelson (Portsmouth), HMS Sultan (Gosport), HMS Collingwood (Fareham),  HMS Heron (Yeovilton), HMS Neptune (Scotland), HMS Seahawk (Culdrose), Devonport Naval Base (Plymouth), Joint Headquarters Northwood, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious will all be competing in the festival.

Marching displays start at 8.30am in the Guildhall Square and at 1.30pm the festival moves inside the Guildhall where each band performs a 15-minute concert.

Free tickets are available for the afternoon contest (including on the day of the event) from ‘Talking Point’ in Portsmouth Central Library overlooking the square.

The massed pipes and drums of the RN Pipers’ Society will entertain the audience during a break in the marching displays and also on stage before the prize giving which will start at about 5.30pm.

Nelson, Sultan and Collingwood bands have been busy visiting local schools in recent weeks to promote the event and encourage pupils to enjoy live music.

“This festival used to be held at various naval establishments but in 2004 we decided to open it to the general public. Since then its success has grown and is now a real musical extravaganza,” said organiser Capt Richard Long, of the Royal Marines Band Service.