SUBMISSION forms for the Bolton Music Showcase are now available from www.boltonmusic.co.uk.

For those unfamiliar with the event, the showcase started in 2004 to promote new artists and the music scene in Bolton.

It has grown from a single concert to a series of gigs, and this year a fortnight of events is planned, culminating in a massive outdoor finale in Leverhulme Park.

This year's event is broader spectrum than ever, classifying each gig under a suitably vague heading including "pop", "acoustic", "strange", "noisy" and "digital."

It will take place over a variety of venues from Saturday July 21 to Saturday August 4.

For people whose style of music is a little more mellow, The Swan, on Churchgate, will be hosting jazz and world music events.

A special Youth Showcase will cater for bands who have one or more members under the age of 18.

Bands need to submit a demo and the completed forms to the showcase committee, who will then grade each submission on a points system.

This will take into account overall first impressions, musical ability, what the band has done over the past 12 months, and their contribution to the Bolton music scene.

The top scorers will play the Finale and headline the other events.

Deadline for submissions is April 30, and bands will be contacted before June 1.

Anyone interested in getting involved "behind the scenes" can also get in touch with committee members via the contact details on the form.