MELODIC metal and indie rock were two of the diverse sounds bouncing off the walls of a Malvern school when budding rock stars battled it out in a Battle of the Bands competition.

Eight groups selected for the final competed at Dyson Perrins CE High School, Malvern, with punk/rock/ska band Backwash, from Worcester's Bishop Perowne CE High School, winning the event. The contest, the first of its kind, was organised by Worcestershire Arts Education to provide a platform for young musicians and singers aged between 11 and 18.

The event was supported by Wyvern FM.

As their prize, Backwash will receive one day in a recording studio with a music industry producer.

"This is a new project that was introduced to schools in January this year," said a spokeswoman at Worcestershire Arts Education.

"The schools in the county were contacted and invited to make an application to put a band forward.

"They had to send in a CD of their entry and they were whittled down to the last eight. There were about 20 entries in all."