THREE local bands are in the running to take centre stage at the Leeds and Reading Festival this summer.

Serotones, Part Time Miserables and The Receivers, all from York, are among 11 bands from across Yorkshire competing in Martin House Hospice’s prestigious Centre Stage competition.

Now in its ninth year, Centre Stage aims to encourage young bands and artists in Yorkshire, and the top prize is a slot at the Leeds and Reading festival, which takes place at the end of August.

All 11 bands will now perform for music industry experts, including members of The Cribs and Embrace, in the grand final next week.

The judging panel includes Ross Jarman from The Cribs, Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale from Embrace, Max Kafka from the festival and Sara Garvey from Out of Control Records.

Mike Heaton, who is also a Martin House ambassador, said: “Centre Stage is an incredible event – it gives young artists the chance to make their mark on the music scene, and for the winners it gives them an amazing platform.

“It also sees them raise money for Martin House, which provides such a vital service in this region.”

Since its launch, Centre Stage has raised more than £225,000 for the hospice, which cares for youngsters with life-limiting conditions across Yorkshire.

All of the finalists were chosen in a series of heats in April and have received a mentoring day as part of the preparations for the final.

The final is at the O2 Academy in Leeds on Thursday, July 26. Tickets from academymusicgroup.com/o2academyleeds/ or on the door.

For more information about the work of Martin House visit www.martinhouse.org.uk.