A BAND of school friends have the opportunity of a lifetime tonight when they take to the stage alongside world stars of music.

Eurovision takes place simultaneously in Istanbul, but Maupa, whose members are from Clayton-le-Moors, are concentrating on an alternative version in Montpellier, France, alongside Jamelia, Craig David and Alicia Keys.

They won the opportunity after being named Britain's most promising act by internet giant Wanadoo, formerly Freeserve, following an online voting competition.

Tonight in Montpellier in front of thousands of people, the results of a second on line poll will be revealed and the European champions crowned.

Maupa are up against three from bands -- from France, Spain and Holland.

The lads, who went to St. Augustine's RC High School, Billington, will play a set before the winner is announced. Then the three big stars, who are topping the bill, will play their well-known hits.

Appearing on stage alongside such established stars is a massive step up for the band, who still work as barmen to make ends meet.

Their previous biggest gig was 1,000 people in London -- and they said that was nerve racking.

But they have been tipped for success by music magazine NME, who described their single 'Helpless' as "one step away from genius".

And they also made the playlist of influential London radio station XFM -- but tonight's event is their biggest achievement to date.

The lads hope a good result will kick start interest in their album, 'Minor Highs, Major Lows', which comes out next month on the Necessary Records label.

Maupa comprises singer David Boon, percussionist Adam Bishop, bassist Matthew Smithson, guitarists Patrick McKeown and Lorcan Moriarty and drummer Anthony Gibbons.

The show can be watched live on the internet at www.wanadoo.co.uk/ discoveries.