ALMOST two months have passed since the Okehampton Battle of the Bands 2011 started accepting applications from across the South West and beyond, and organisers say this will be a stellar year for the competition.

Event organiser Chris Hodgson said: 'Entries have been arriving steadily since we started accepting applications.

'The quality of this year's applications has been really high. 2011 promises to be a really good year for the battle of the bands.'

The competition promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with the Party in the Park final taking place in Simmons Park in August.

Alongside the final there will be entertainment from elite UK mountain bike trials rider Andrei Burton, laser quest, a licensed bar and a headline show from tribute band Ultimate Madness.

To apply for the competition or for more information, visit http://www.okehamptonbattleofthebands.co.uk">www.okehamptonbattleofthebands.co.uk