TWO bands from the North-west are among the 12 nominees battling it out for this year's Mercury Music Prize.

Mancunian rock band Doves and newcomers The Coral, from Hoylake on the Wirral, have been nominated for the prize, which will be awarded on September 17.

Past winners of the prize have included Badly Drawn Boy, Pulp, Primal Scream and M People.