BANDS looking to play an open air gig on their doorstep can do so by auditioning for Stanford Music Festival.

The festival will be held on Saturday, July 5 on the field next to the Crooked Billet Pub in Billet Lane, Stanford-le-Hope.

The auditioning venue has now been changed from the Catcracker Pub in Stanford-le-Hope to the Village Health and Country Club in Southend Road, Corringham.

Bands can be of any age and must be able to perform a one hour set and be fully self contained.

Cover music is part of the criteria and all sets must contain at least half an hour of cover songs.

Two bands will be appearing this Friday at the Village and every Friday thereafter until June 20. The evening starts at 8pm.

The first band will come on at 9pm and the evening will finish at 12am.

Entrance is £3.

For more details call the organiser Nick Brown on 07904561684 or the Village on 01375 404040.