Ten bands have been selected to fight for glory and £6,000 worth of prizes in the Shropshire Star Battle of the Bands contest.

The ten were selected from 47 entrants and will play live at The Buttermarket, in Shrewsbury, on March 23 and 30.

They are; Madison, Can You Eros?, Dezima, Fight The Bear, Rhythm Zoo, Small Time Crooks, Icelandic Traffic Badgers, Cold Train, Enter/Exit and Pocket Rocket.

The bands come from across Shropshire and Mid Wales and play a variety of styles, including indie, rock, pop, ska, acoustic, blues, electronic and alternative.

Competition spokesman James Shaw said: “We listened to every single band, watched every single video and studied every single biography.

“We’re very pleased with our shortlist. The standard was incredible.

“It was tough to whittle it down to a final 10 and there were three or four young bands who can consider themselves mighty unlucky not to have made it.”

The bands will battle it out for prizes, including equipment, studio time, a photo shoot, CDs, mentoring advice and cash, which have been donated by competition sponsors Salop Music Centre, Soundscape, Wolf At Your Door, The Buttermarket and Telford FM.

Mr Shaw said: “We’d like to thank the 47 acts that took the time and trouble to enter.

“Our list features some stunning bands. It also encompasses a variety of styles.”

ShropshireStar.com visitors will be able to vote for their favourite acts in an online poll from Wednesday March 12 until midday on Wednesday March 19. The poll votes will be added to votes by our panel of judges. A full list of rules will be posted on the website.

Prizes are not transferable and the editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

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