Finalists in the Shropshire Star’s Battle of the Bands contest have been urged to bring a “passionate following” to Sunday’s £6,000 final.

The competition, which reaches a climax at The Buttermarket in Shrewsbury on Sunday, will see five local bands fight it out for a share of the prize fund.

The bands competing for glory are Madison, Enter/Exit, Fight The Bear, Dezima and Small Time Crooks, with the first band due to start at 7pm.

The Buttermarket owner Kerry Wycherley said he is hoping to see a full house at the venue.

“We want to make sure the competition generates a really great atmosphere,” he said. “The quality of bands has been superb and there is very little to choose between them.

“It may very well come down to whose followers make the most noise – the judges will no doubt take note of the loudest bands.

“We want a winner with a passionate following and who could make a mark on the music scene both locally and on a national level. A large and noisy fan base is, therefore, essential.”

People can listen to music from the bands at www.shropshirestar.com/battle

The prizes include a chance to play a gig in front of 5,000 people, thousands of pounds of music equipment, studio time, cds, advice and a photo shoot.

The competition has been sponsored by Salop Music Centre, Soundscape Studios, A Wolf at Your Door Records, The Buttermarket, Severn FM and Telford FM.

The final be judged by four independent judges. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

Tickets, priced at £5 advance and £7 on the door, are available from Salop Music Centre, Telford Shopping Centre, Recycled Records and www.theticketsellers.co.uk

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