BANDS have started to sign up for their chance at stardom as part of the Swindon Advertiser's Local Heroes competition.

The online competition aims to root out undiscovered local talent and propel the best new acts onto the national stage.

Two winners will be chosen from across the UK and they will win a summer tour and get to play in no fewer than six major music festivals, including Global Gathering Summer Sundae, and Beautiful Days.

Richard Millin, drummer for Swindon band Belarus, said: "There are lots of bands out there in Swindon with the talent to compete nationally."

They will have to know a bit about digital wizardry though, registering their band at www.lheroes.co.uk they can then upload to the internet an MP3 version of their song, as well a blogs and profiles of their band members.

The band which can get the most hits on its website will build up a higher score and the top acts from each of nine regions in the competition will then go on to play a live national final in London, with the top two going on the summer festival tour with full technical support.