THERE was a bumper response to a competition, organised in memory of the late Clifford T Ward, and intended to unearth new talent.

More than 250 entries were received for the Clifford T Ward Songwriting Contest, run by MAS Records in association with a foundation bearing Ward's name and BBC Hereford and Worcester.

The aim of the competition is to nurture budding talent in all genres of music. Following months of judging, entries have been whittled down to a shortlist of eight.

They are: Richard Attwood, with Be Away; Backwash, Six Weeks; George Timothy Canaan, Desire; Girls Love Ponies, Big Green Pocket; Richard Pollott, Butterflies; Taz Singh, Step It Up; The Murmur, Soul Search in Utah; Jackie Williams, Just That Way.

A panel of celebrity judges, including Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robert Plant, will decide the overall winner, which will be announced in coming weeks.

Other judges will be Karl Hyde, from Underworld and John Peel's manager and record executive, Clive Selwood.

Listeners to BBC Hereford and Worcester will able to vote for their favourite song when the contenders are streamed online.

The overall winner will receive a cash award from the Clifford T Ward Foundation and have their material recorded and released on CD. They will also have the chance to perform themselves or MAS Records will find an artist to perform their song for release.

They will get radio airplay and industry specialist commentary on their work.

Kim Tanser, MAS Records development manager, said: "The Clifford T Ward songwriting contest has proved to us that this is a good way for new artists to write and produce their own songs.

"Today's musicians need to be at the centre of creativity. Good new songs will open doors and help them succeed in the music industry."

Music industry management course leader, Kevyn Gammond, said: "Songwriting has been transformed. There is a new landscape and a new sense of adventure with the way musicians use technology to create their songs.

"This has been shown with the dance and electronica tracks that have been submitted to the contest."