The Grampian Police Pipe Band has been crowned Champion of Champions for the north of Scotland.

The band – fresh from a stunning performance at the World Championships in Glasgow – retained their standing as the best pipes and drums at a competion in Mintlaw on Sunday.

They triumphed in the Grade 1 and Grade 2 sections at the final northern competition of the season at Aden Park at the weekend.

Band Pipe Major Drew Sinclair, a constable with Grampian Police, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have retained our title.

"It's another great result for us – we've continually improved throughout the season and this result confirms that."

The band also won the best bass drum section of the competition and the best overall North of Scotland drum corps in Grade 1 and 2.

Pipe Major Sinclair said: "It's particularly good to see the hard work of the bass section and the corps recognised as well – they've worked very hard this season."

The band, sponsored by Aberdeen-based oil engineering firm Balmoral Group,  is a mix of police, police staff and civilians drawn from all walks of life.

And PM Sinclair said that the band was already on a recruitment drive to boost the band in advance of next year's competitions.

He said: "We are keen to attract experienced people to join us.

"We aim to do even better next season and we want to recruit pipers and drummers capable of competing in a highly successful Grade 2 band."

The final major competition of the season for the band will be at the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, Argyll, next Saturday.

Band Manager Chief Inspector Murray Main said: "We're aiming to go out with another good performance and the entire band will be trying their best to end the season with an even better performance."

ENDS