A GUITAR-based group whose members first met at a Bewdley school will be battling it out in a competition next week.

Viva Finito, which has members from Stourport and Bewdley, has reached the semi-final of the Battle of the Bands contest at the Robin 2 in Bilston, Wolverhampton.

They will be up against two other bands on Monday, December 5 and, if successful, they will go through to the final on Monday, December 12.

The band first started as a three-piece in 2000, with Colin Stevenson on vocals and guitar, Ade Arnold, 25, on bass and Jim Booton, 24, on drums.

When Colin had to move away from the area due to work commitments, the other members were left to develop their musical talents.

The musicians, who met at Bewdley High School, came back together at the end of 2004 and decided to relaunch Viva Finito, recruiting Colin's brother, Andy, 28, on bass.

Before Christmas, they are playing at the ITV Central Christmas Party on Thursday, December 15 and then at the Marrs Barr in Worcester on Friday, December 16

It is the first of several competitions they are taking part in as they battle in out at the Rock Garden, Covent Garden in London and then the following night they will take on bands at the Little Civic in Wolverhampton.

They have received air play on BBC Hereford and Worcester and have spent time in the studio working on their first proper demo.

For further information visit www.vivafinito.co.uk