THE Stanford Forum’s preparations for this year's free Stanford Music Festival (SMF) are well underway with auditions scheduled for aspiring acts.

The festival will be held at the Crooked Billet recreation Ground in Billet Lane on July 4 with four bands already confirmed including, Blind Vision, The Collectors, Wayward, and Hybrid 7.

Organisers still want to hear from bands interested in appearing at the festival and are holding auditions at the Crooked Billet pub on the following dates: April 3, 17, 24 and May 1 and 8.

If your group would like the chance to experience what it is like to perform on a professional stage using the services of sound and light technicians and contact Nick Brown on 07960756743 or email info@stanfordcf.org.uk.

Stanford Forum is also staging another “Thurrock’s Got Talent” evening on May 9 at The Crooked Billet to help raise funds towards the SMF.

The competition is open to singers, dancers’ comics and speciality acts.

There is a prize for the winner and the chance to appear on stage at the SMF.

For details on how to enter the event contact Mish on 07530949231 or log onto www.stanfordcf.org.uk and visit the Music Festival page.

Steve Henderson, formally with The Heaters and now with Hybrid 7, is on the team of organisers for the event.

He said: “The depth and quality of talent in Thurrock never ceases to amaze me and the SMF committee are certain this year’s festival will probably be the best yet.”