LOCAL bands and singer/songwriters are to get the unique chance of selling their tapes and CDs thanks to Bolton's Virgin record store.

Virgin have linked up with the Buskers Ball, which will has three town centre performance venues from next week.

On Tuesday it will be at the Alma on Bradshawgate, Thursday at Oscars and on Saturday afternoon/early evening at The Place in Ash Street, starting tomorrow with special guests The Nick Jackson Band.

The plan is for artists who perform to be invited to sell their products out of the Virgin store. Bands or artists must have at least 10 copies of their product (CD or tape) for Virgin to sell.

A chart with the town's most happening acts will then be published - an exclusively LOCAL Virgin Buzzkers Chart.

The idea was the brainchild of Margot Gibson, co-founder of the Buskers Ball. "The idea is to establish a sort of underground music scene for unsigned bands. This means instead of the glut of glamorous girl/boy bands marketed by the major labels unsigned bands have chance of selling their stuff and getting in a chart."

Anyone artists who would like to be considered for the scheme should contact the Buskers Ball on 01204 450924.

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