Cornet player Paula Russell is living a real-life version of the hit film Brassed Off by beating northern brass bands at their own game.

In an uncanny likeness to the movie storyline - in which Tara Fitzgerald, as young trumpet player Gloria, takes Grimley Colliery Brass Band by storm - Paula has blown away the mostly- male competition to win the Champion of Great Britain title.

It is a triumph for a female southerner to rise to the top of an arena traditionally dominated by northern men.

Paula, 21, of Irene Avenue, Lancing, said: "I don't see myself as a Gloria, especially not with Gloria's looks.

"I think attitudes are changing now and there are more women coming into brass bands.

"There are still some bands which don't accept women but not many. A few years ago it was different. There were tutors at national level who did not agree with women being in bands.

"We are trying to give them a run for their money now."

Winning the national championship is a grand reward for the hard work and determination shown by Paula, who has wanted to play in brass bands since she was eight.

Paula was taught to play by her father David, and the pair played with the Lancing British Legion brass band.

She turned out to be so good she won a scholarship to train at the eminent Guildhall School of Music in London.

Since then, not only has the former student of Kings Manor School, Shoreham, led the cornet section of the national youth brass band but she is now a star player with the Yorkshire Building Society brass band.

Two years ago, she became the first female principle of the prestigious northern brass band at Salford University.

She led the acclaimed group during her studies for a degree in brass band musicianship.

Paula's mother, Susan, said: "We have always been proud of her. When she was young she used to look at brass bands and say 'I'm going to do that one day' and now she has."