FOURTEEN up and coming songwriters battle it out at Hawthorne's, Spa Road, Bolton tonight as the Buskers Ball host the final of the prestigious North West Songwriting Competition. The event, which is now in its third year, will be judged by celebrity judges singer/actor Bernard Wrigley, former Brookside actress Eithne Browne and BBC GMR presenter Alan Beswick and has attracted interest from all over the world. "It certainly seems to have put Bolton on the map as a centre for songwriting," said organiser Alec Martin. "We had enquiries from the USA, Europe and Australia. Co-organiser Margot Gibson went on: "The people of Bolton have a chance to see the best singer/songwriters in the region, and the standard this year is particularly high. We hope that anyone with any interest at all in music will come down and see exactly what's going on in their town."

Admission to the final (as to all Buskers Ball events) is free, and the doors open at 8pm. Prizes being fought for include recording time at Bolton's Paul Anderson Studio, music equipment from HW Audio of Bolton, and recording time at the prestigious Frog Studio's of Warrington.

Gay Nuttall, owner of Hawthorne's, says she is very pleased to hold the event at her club.

"Alec and Margot work very hard to promote live music in the town and I hope the town gets behind them."

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