By Nick Jackson BUSKERS are either a scintillating diversion from the drudge of a day's shopping, or a rowdy pain in the backside. It depends on your point of view.

But there's no getting away from the fact that, in Bolton at least, business for the acoustic troubadour is booming.

This is thanks largely to Alec Martin and his partner Margot Gibson, who together run the "Buskers Ball" organisation.

Alec - who is also front man of the blues combo Night Train - and Margot formed the group several years ago.

The Buskers Ball tours local pubs and live music venues where musicians - mainly singers and songwriters playing acoustic guitars - take turns to get up and perform.

In December Alec and Margot, backed by Gay Nuttall at Oscar's Bar, hosted a songwriter's competition which attracted scores of entries from as far afield as Bristol. Plans are already underway for a similar event this year.

Now, the buskers' nights are used by various established local artists to premiere new material and experiment.

The Buskers Ball is a member of the Bolton Arts Forum, the council backed body to promote live art in the borough.

Alec said: "It's a misconception among a lot of people that because it's the 'Buskers Ball' then the artists are automatically rubbish.

"In fact the standard of performances we have been getting have been quite outstanding. Many musicians who play in bands have actually increased the size of their following by playing at our sessions."

Margot said: "In these days of techno-pop, the art of acoustic music can be very much the poor relation. We are trying to rectify this by making Bolton the acoustic music centre of the north.

"Anyone who turns up to perform at one of our events is assured of a warm reception. Although many of our performers are from top local bands, many are novices who find they can gain valuable experience performing in front of an audience. Several musicians who began nervously at our events have gone on to front their own bands and are now semi-professional."

The Buskers Ball sessions are also excellent meeting places for people looking for musicians to form new bands or musical alliances.

Alec and Margot's organisation has been a major success at the Bradshawgate-based Irish pub Durty Nelly's on Saturday afternoons.

They've also generated a healthy atmosphere at the White Lion, Deansgate, on Tuesday evenings, but more musicians are required to make the night at Oscar's on Wednesdays more interesting.

Margot added: " I can't understand why more people don't go down to Oscar's. There is a wealth of talent in the region, but a shortage of venues.

"We will support and encourage anyone to have a go and we shall soon be starting an agency to promote the best.

"It's about time musicians at grass roots level got some support. Having Radio One DJ Mark Radcliffe coming from Bolton shows that it can be done and, who knows, there may be a spin-off for the North-west music scene."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.