PRESTON Lodge High School Pipe Band is going for gold at this year’s World Pipe Band Championships.

The band, which has had a stunning second competitive season, picking up the British title, will compete in the international contest next weekend.

Pipe Major Lee Moore says that hopes are high that the school band will take a top award this year.

Lee said: “Last year was the first time we competed in the World Pipe Band Championships and we came ninth.

“We have had a very good season and everyone has worked very hard, so we really hope to do well this year.

“There is a lot of great talent in the band.” The pipe band, which has about 25 members heading to the contest, has become such a success it has now set up its own junior band, for primary-school youngsters.

Lee said that the standard had become so high in the senior band they had realised it would be nearly impossible for novices to step in.

He said: “The junior band gives new players the chance to gain experience before reaching senior level, so they have a better opportunity to be part of the older band.” PLHS Pipe Band receives funding for its tuition through the East Lothian Pipes and Drums Trust.

The band is sponsored by Scotmid Co-operative and Queen Margaret University and helps cover its costs through fundraising and performances.

They will head to Glasgow next Friday (August 15) to take part in the World Championships at Glasgow Green over two days.

The championships are the climax of Piping Live!, the world’s biggest week of piping and traditional music.

The Glasgow International Piping Festival features more than 200 events which will be enjoyed by 50,000 spectators and 8,000 performers from 150 nations worldwide.

After competing in Glasgow, and with barely time to draw breath, Preston Lodge High School’s band heads to the Edinburgh Pipe Band Championships in the hope of capturing more honours.

The Edinburgh event, at the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday, August 23, will see both the senior and junior bands taking part in the contest.

Stephen Hutt, chief executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, said: “The Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship is an event that celebrates the remarkable piping talent we have.

“Our piping tradition is something Scotland is very proud of and the society is delighted to support its advancement.

“We have pulled out all the stops to create a family-festival event that we are confident will appeal to everyone.” For tickets for the Edinburgh competition go to www.edinburghpipebandchampionship.com Tickets For Piping Live! and the Worlds are on sale now and available at www.peoplemakeglasgow.com/piping