BUDDING bands are being invited to battle it out to win a place on stage at a music festival.

Teddy Rocks Festival is running the battle of the bands in partnership with VocalZone.

The Dorset festival, held at Charisworth Farm, was set up by Tom Newton in memory of his younger brother Ted, who lost his life to a rare bone cancer aged just 10.

The headliners for this year’s festival include Scouting for Girls and Twin Atlantic.

Tom, a firefighter, was named runner-up in the Pride of Britain awards last year, for his incredible efforts over the years, which have raised more than £200,000 to help other families.

The Teddy20 charity provides financial support for local children and families who are going through treatment.

Last year the charity purchased an eight-berth, luxury static home in Weymouth for children who are fighting cancer and their families to stay in free of charge.

Tom said: “I’ve witnessed first-hand how difficult it can be for bands to get their names out there. VocalZone support our passion in giving unsigned bands a chance to show us what they can do.

“We asked bands to submit an application including links so that we could listen to their tracks. We were thrilled to learn that we received more than 150 applications from both local and national bands alike. It’s going to be a challenge to choose just one to join us at the festival this year.”

The battle of the band heats will take place at the Freestyle Music Centre in Poole at 6pm every Saturday, beginning on March 11.

The final will be held at the Anvil in Bournemouth on Friday, April 7 and the winners will perform at the festival, which takes place from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30.

The event has grown immensely over the past several years, beginning in the courtyard of the local pub, The Greyhound, raising £400 in the first year.

Six years later and Teddy Rocks has raised close to £100,000 with help from internationally recognised bands such as From The Jam, The Hoosiers, Don Broco, Gentleman’s Dub Club and The King Blues.

Visit teddyrocks.co.uk for more information.