A world leading Bradford band will add a touch of Yorkshire brass to a sun-kissed island.

The Black Dyke Band will fly out to the United States on Saturday to prepare for the 2002 Bermuda Festival.

The group was first asked to perform on the self-governing British colony in 2000, and is relishing a return trip as British national champions.

The Queensbury outfit will be unique among a collection of dance groups, singers and orchestras.

Band administrator Geoffrey Whiteley said: "We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves last time and it is an honour to be the sole brass band representatives again.

"I think the organisers are relieved we're going because since the terrorist attacks a lot of people have been refusing to fly and several events have been cancelled. But it's just one of those things, isn't it. We have to honour our commitments and it is a wonderful festival, a real celebration of music."

Founded by the late violinist, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and a former governor of Bermuda, Sir Edwin Leather, the festival has prided itself in picking world-class artists throughout its 27-year history.

For its 25th anniversary show, in 2000, its organisers went all-out for a star line-up, which ended up including members of the Bolshoi Ballet and King's College Choir. It was then that the chairman, Peter Lloyd, searching for a new brass element, hit upon the idea of inviting the Black Dyke Band - after reading rave reviews and hearing personal recommendations from other artists.

Artistic co-ordinator for this year's event, Karen Pollard, said: "The band took Bermuda by storm, with conductor James Watson charming the audiences with his entertaining introductions and the group wowing the community with its stirring sound.

"The musicians entered into the signature hospitality of the Festival with great spirit, and there were demands on all fronts to invite them for a return engagement - hence their appearance at this year's event!"

Keen to be at the heart of Bradford's 2008 Capital of Culture bid, the group has enjoyed a whirl of activity since winning Britain's National Brass Band Championships last year.

That victory, which gave the band its 17th national trophy, means they will represent England in the European Championship in May.

But the musicians remain without a sponsor, and will have their feet firmly back on the ground when they return from Bermuda to begin a fund-raising push with a concert in Castleford.

Mr Whiteley said: "We do a lot of benefit shows for other groups throughout the year, but we are a charity ourselves and will need to raise some cash for the competition.