UPCOMING Lancashire bands are competing for two days recording time in a top studio and a contract with a music PR company in a battle-of-the-bands competition. The next heat is in Blackpool on October 13,

The Strummer Live Music Series takes place every other Thursday at the Liquid Lounge in Blackpool and every other Wednesday at the Rossall Tavern in Fleetwood between now and December.

Rock musician, TV pundit and journalist John Robb, who hails from the Blackpool area, will be one of the judges alongside Clint Boon of the Inspiral Carpets.

All the gigs, which are organised by Strummer magazine, will be free to watch and will be filmed for a DVD.

The winning band will spend two days in Jaraf House recording studio in Wigan and backing from Fistral PR company in Manchester.

The gigs are as follows:

Rossall Tavern, Fleetwood

October 5 - Blue Generation, 13 Backwards, Maladjusted, Bingo Jesus

October 19 - Higgins, Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man, Only One Mammal, Special Brew

November 2 - Devil To Pay, Giles, Neon Trees, Saving Grace

November 16 - Bridge, Z-List Tears, Fultons Point, Brother Rabbit

Liquid Lounge, Blackpool

October 13 - The Senton Bombs, The Unknown, The Logicals

October 27 - Lupus In Fabula, Jelly's Last Jam, Zenith

November 10 - Aura4, Pail, Garland Green, Y'r Impossible

November 24 - Triphazard, Stormy Weathers & The Lagoons Of Love, Litterbug, Lookin