A WEST Devon band with a passion to break into the music industry are in need of readers' votes to help them succeed in the People's Music Awards 2011.

Tavistock-based band Kitty and the Lost Boys entered the competition in 2009 and gained first place in both the Pop and Indie/Rock categories in week four of the competition.

Singer and bassist in the band Kitty Austen said: 'This time, with a much better recording and a new song, we are hoping to get into the finals, so really need as many votes as possible from everyone because if we can get into the next round, important guest judges from the music industry will actually get to hear our song, which would be really exciting.

'The competition is also a good forum to gain a few more fans and gain exposure, which is never a bad thing.

'You can enter up to two categories, but only one song per band so we have entered Punch and Judy Man, which is a song from our latest EP Tears on the Sand.

'Punch and Judy Man is a power ballad with a tragi-comi twist on the classic children's entertainer. Influenced by our rhythm guitarist Blind Johnny's childhood summers spent on Brighton beach, the song tells the story of a heartbroken Punch and Judy man whose own "Judy" has gone for good.'

The People's Music Awards is an annual, global event where unsigned music artists, bands and producers can upload their music to be heard and voted for by the public and top industry professionals.

The competition features three rounds. The first is a general public vote for a favourite artist or song, the second is the guest judges' round, where industry professionals listen to, vote and give feedback on the songs they have heard and the final round is another public vote for winners in each category.

The winner of each category receives the People's Music Award title, trophy and will also be included in a winners compilation album which will be available through the People's Music Awards website and associated music shops.