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A young drum major practises for the 2008 World Pipe Band Championship, in Glasgow at the weekend.

More than 40,000 spectators filled Glasgow Green to see the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver take the top spot.

About 200 bands took part in the championships, in which the Canadian performers snatched the title from last year's winners, Northern Irish group the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band.

Third place went to championship veterans the House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band, who have won the competition 15 times.

Glasgow celebrated its 60-year association with "the Worlds" this year.

The city recently fought off stiff competition from Belfast to secure the championships for the next three years.

The competition, organ- ised by Culture and Sport Glasgow and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), took place in the same week as Piping Live, a seven-day celebration of piping held in the city.

This year's chieftain, culture minister Linda Fabiani, said: "I am delighted to have been involved in this fantastic spectacle.

"The dedication, talent and sheer number of pipers on display demonstrates how piping is thriving not only at home, but all over the world."

Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter said: "We are thrilled that the RSPBA decided Glasgow was the best home for the Worlds and this has by far been the biggest and best yet."

Ian Embelton, RSPBA chief executive, said: "This is undoubtedly the best championships to date and testimony to the commitment shown by Glasgow.

"Thankfully, the weather was kind to the thousands of pipers, drummers and performers who have travelled from across the world to compete for the premier prize in world piping."

Picture: Jamie Simpson