IT'S all set to be trumpets at dawn when two postmen from the same family face off at the National Brass Band Championships this autumn.

Kerry Bowden, 55, from Risca, has been a postman with Royal Mail for 20 years and is the conductor of the Cross Keys Silver Band.

This will be the first time in six years that the band has made it into the national championships, but the conductor's team face stiff competition from another Welsh team - whose line-up includes his son-in-law.

Nick Garrett, who is also a postman, lives in Aberdare with his wife, Tania, and plays with Llwydcoed Silver Band.

Mr Bowden, whose band includes his wife, stepson and niece, said: "I'm looking forward to facing my son-in-law and his band at the national championships.

"They're very good, but it could be anyone's title on the day, depending on how well you play.

"My dad used to be in a brass band, and I had an interest in music, so I learnt to play the trombone. I used to play in the army, but I've been a conductor now for 18 years."

The Cross Keys Silver Band was in danger of folding in 1996 as members moved on, but Mr Bowden took over as conductor. Membership numbers swelled to 26, and a learners' band was introduced.

In order to raise the £5,000 funding needed for the trip to Harrogate in September, Mr Bowden is organising a duck race at noon on April 17 at Cwmcarn.