Music fans have been urged to grab a “golden opportunity” to see some of the county’s top acts perform together at the final of the Shropshire Star’s Battle of the Bands competition.

The contest reaches its climax at the Buttermarket in Shrewsbury tomorrow evening when five finalists fight for a share of the £6,000 prize fund.

The event, which will be hosted by Telford FM’s Paul Shuttleworth, gets under way at 7pm with a set by Small Time Crooks, before the other finalists, Madison, Dezima, Fight The Bear and Enter/Exit, take to the stage.

Competition spokesman James Shaw said: “We had a tough time narrowing the finalists down to the final five, but in the end, the bands on show will be a treat for any supporter of live music in Shropshire.”

Prizes include £5,000 worth of music equipment from Salop Music Centre, studio time from Soundscape Studios, 100 CDs and mentoring from A Wolf at Your Door Records and a photoshoot.

The winners will also get the chance to play in front of 5,000 people at the Indieco music festival in Shrewsbury.

Mr Shaw added: “We are all really looking forward to seeing these bands tomorrow night. The only problem is that only one band can win.”

In addition to the main prizes, The Rob James Trophy and £100 will awarded to the best individual musician by the four independent judges.

Fans are being told to arrive early for tomorrow evening’s final, with the doors due to open at 6.30pm.

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

The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.