LOCAL bands are making their bid for big stage glory by battling for their chance to play the V festival.

So far Our Fold, Asbo, To The Bones, Cardinal Saviour and Last Chance have all signed up for the "Road To V" contest.

The competition, which is run by the festival organisers Virgin Mobile, offers two unsigned bands the chance to play the same stage as big names such as Kasabian, Razorlight and the Chemical Brothers.

To help the local entries, music fans can listen to their tracks on the Road to V website, rate and review each artist, and use the forums to drum up more support for the Bolton bands.

A panel of music-industry experts will consider feedback from fans before choosing a shortlist of 14 bands on April 16.

The finalists will play live in Liverpool and London in May, and the performances will be broadcasted on Channel 4.

The experts will then pick two overall winners to play at V Festival in both Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and Weston Park, Staffordshire, on August 18 and 19.

For more information, visit www.roadtov.com