DARWEN band India Mill are just one performance away from securing a spot at two of the summer's biggest festivals.

The four-piece have seen off over 3,200 bands around the country to get to the final 14 in The Road To V competition.

On Wednesday they will play live at the Liverpool Academy in front of TV cameras and a panel of judges.

Similar gigs will also be held in London and two of the 14 finalists will get to perform at both legs of V Festival in Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, in August alongside Kasabian, Razorlight and The Chemical Brothers.

Formed five years ago, India Mill are Alistair Smith on vocals and guitar, Richard Harwood on bass, Simon Nicholson on guitar and drummer Dean Ingham.

The four first got together at Moorland High School in Darwen and have been writing and gigging ever since.

"We entered the competition and put our song My Fury on to the website for people to listen to and then really forgot about it," said Dean. "Then we got a call to say we'd made the final 14.

"Even if we don't get the festival slot, the Liverpool gig will be filmed and shown on Channel 4 in the run-up to V which would great exposure for us.

Parts of the gig and interviews will be aired on Channel 4 throughout summer in the run-up to V, which means each band get half of a programme each.

Among previous winners of The Road to V competition are The Young Knives.

Although it is a great opportunity, the band are keeping things in perspective.

"We always rehearse three nights a week anyway so we haven't really done anything extra in the run-up to the gig in Liverpool," said Dean.

Rather than just one song, India Mill will now be judged on their whole set.

"It's funny because My Fury isn't our favourite song, although I suppose it's become our "greatest hit". But we are always writing.

"Someone will come in with an idea and we'll knock it around between us until we get it right."