TALENTED pipe bands from across the world will compete in a championship competition which will take place in Glasgow next month.

The World Pipe Band Championships will feature 214 bands from 13 countries on August 17 and 18 at the Glasgow Green when around 8,000 pipers and drummers will compete for the ultimate prize.

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More than a quarter of the total entry will come from overseas with nations represented including New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, Canada, Oman, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Eire, USA, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Up to 40 per cent of the competitors this year are expected to be under the age of 25. The World Pipe Band Championships is part of the Partner Programme for the Year of Young People 2018. The Year of Young People 2018 provides a platform to promote and celebrate the talents, achievements and contributions of Scotland’s incredible young people.

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Glasgow first hosted the World Pipe Band Championships in 1948 and has been the host city for the event every year since 1986.

This year, the Chieftain of the World Pipe Band Championships will be Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Eva Bolander, who first visited the city as a piper in a band.

She said: “Some bands spend years raising funds and saving in order to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships. That so many are making the effort in 2018 to come to the city shows just how much these championships mean to them and their supporters. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone in August and witnessing the fierce but friendly competition. The Worlds promises to be an incredible occasion. It’s an event Glasgow is always proud to host for it secures our reputation as the piping capital of the world.”

Tickets for the event and full information will be available via www.theworlds.co.uk.

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