Musicians in Shropshire and Mid-Wales who want to compete for the £6,000 worth of prizes in the Shropshire Star’s Battle of the Bands have a week left to get involved.

The competition was launched in January and around 25 bands have so far sent in demo tapes, videos, MySpace addresses and biographies.

Competition spokesman James Shaw said: “We know there are many more high quality bands out there and we’d encourage them to get in touch now. Time is ticking. The bands must have sent their entries to us by March 9.”

The competition is being sponsored by a number of companies.

Salop Music Centre is offering thousands of pounds’ worth of new equipment, including a drum kit, guitar pedals and other items.

The Buttermarket, at Shrewsbury, has agreed to host a finals night on March 30 and a Best of the Rest night on March 23. Wolf At Your Door Music is providing mentoring advice from experts and 100 CDs.

Soundscape Studios is offering half a day at a local studio while Telford FM boss Pete Wagstaff is offering a £100 spot prize for the best individual musician.

Send entries to: James Shaw, Shropshire Star, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire TF1 5HU; call (01952) 242424 or e-mail jshaw@shropshirestar.co.uk

Employees of MNA and their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter. Prizes cannot be transferred, the editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Check out the rest of our online Battle of the Bands section here.

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