BANDS who want a shot at the big time have been invited to join in the Advertiser-backed Local Heroes competition.

The Local Heroes contest offers up-and-coming unsigned new bands the chance to play at six major summer festivals in front of an audience of thousands.

It couldn't be easier all bands have to do is to register at the Local Heroes website, which is easily accessible through www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk, before June 1.

The bands upload an MP3 on to the site and can also add blogs and profiles of band members.

Then the fun really starts all visitors to the site can listen and vote for their favourite band.

There are nine regions around the country and the bands with the most votes will go through to the final in London.

After that, two bands will have chance of playing on the bill of six summer festivals, including the Global Gathering, in Stratford; Summer Sundae, in Leicester; Get Loaded In The Park, in London; Foundation, in Somerset; Bulldog Bash, in Stratford and Beautiful Days, in Devon. The gigs come with full technical support.

Several Swindon bands are already hoping to follow in the footsteps of Arctic Monkeys and create a buzz on the internet.

Among them are the Riverside Conspiracy and Jeff Like Usual. The Riverside Conspiracy formed in January last year and played at the Commonweal School's Battle Of The Bands night.

There's a chance to catch them at a gig at Riff's Bar in July, and they are also hoping to appear at the Old Town Festival in June.

Jeff Like Usual are also making a name for themselves in Swindon and have two July gigs, at Riffs Bar and at the Victoria pub in Victoria Road, Old Town.

Since 2001, founder members of the band which used to be called Manners Of The Little Hawk Chris Manners and Steve Hawkes began playing their guitars together.

To register your band visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/localheroes