Twenty bands are vying for success in the Shropshire Star’s £6,000 Battle of the Bands.

More bands are planning to submit entries in coming weeks before the March 9 closing date.

Check out some of the entrants so far in our photo gallery 

Competition spokesman James Shaw said today: “We’re delighted so many entries have arrived.

“We were already aware of the high quality of groups in Shropshire and Mid Wales, but we’ve been surprised by the sheer volume of top quality acts.

“We anticipate more bands will send music to us in the next few weeks. Groups have got until March 9 to get their music to us, then we’ll select our shortlist of 10.”

Mr Shaw said all musical genres were represented and there were bands of all ages.

“We’ve got soul, rock, indie, metal, pop, folk and other sorts of music,” he said.

“The youngest band member is just 12 and the oldest is, well, the oldest asked us not to say how old he is.”

The competition is being sponsored by Salop Music Centre, Wolf At Your Door Records, Soundscape Studios, Telford FM and The Buttermarket, in Shrewsbury.

Finals nights are planned for March 23 and 30 at The Buttermarket and there will be a selection of prizes, including thousands of pounds worth of equipment.

Mr Shaw said: “We’d appeal to as many people as possible to get their music to us in the next few weeks.

“We’d also like to say thanks to everyone who’s taken the time and trouble to submit entries. The competition is being well supported by bands, sponsors and the public.”

Bands can send CDs, biographies, their MySpace address or videos to James Shaw, Shropshire Star, Battle of the Bands, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford TF1 5HU, before March 9.

A shortlist of 10 bands will be selected to appear at the Grand Final on March 30 and a Best of the Rest night on March 23.

* The editor’s decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into, prizes are not transferable and MNA employees and their relatives are not allowed to enter.

Competition sponsors:

Shropshire Music Centre – the main sponsors, offering £3,000 of band equipment www.salopmusic.co.uk

Telford FM -supporting and highlighting the entrants www.telfordfm.co.uk

A Wolf at Your Door Records – offering 100 demo discs and advice www.wolfatyourdoor.com

Soundscape Studios – offering four hours studio time http://soundscape-studios.co.uk

The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury – venue for the Battle Of The Bands finals www.buttermarket.com