A TRIO of Worcestershire bands will be making some noise today at a special event to mark the anniversary of the death of legendary radio presenter and DJ John Peel.

Clive Selwood, manager of the late star, spoke with Kevyn Gammond of Kidderminster-based MAS Records earlier this month about John's fondness for the area and his connections with the town.

From there, the record label was asked to organise a special event to coincide with BBC Radio 1's John Peel Day on Thursday, October 13.

MAS Records is putting on four acts at Keele University in Staffordshire on the night - with Worcestershire acts The Attic, B-Movie Heroes and Edgeway all set to play. They will be joined by Walsall-based indie alternative act Oneyesblue.

John - who died while on a working holiday in Peru in October last year - had strong links with Kidderminster, mentioning on his radio shows the performers he would bring to the weekly events at the town's Frank Freeman's Club.

These include Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band and Marc Bolan of T-Rex. Peel often hitch-hiked from London to play gigs there himself.

The DJ - who transferred to Radio One after a spell on Radio London in the 1960s - also helped nurture up-and-coming performers from the area such as Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant.

MAS Records' director Kevyn Gammond said: "Our artists have that British eccentricity that John Peel has always liked in our bands. This exposure at Keele University will definitely help further their careers."

John Peel Day is being co-ordinated by BBC Radio One, which is encouraging musicians to put on their own events throughout the day to pay tribute to him.

A coach is leaving from Kidderminster for the Keele gig today. Anyone interested in taking it can call Tony Goodwin on 07932 525705 for details.

more information.

Anyone interested in going along should contact Tony Goodwin on 07932 525705.Among those events already penned in include a cycling event from London to Great Finborough; gigs from Roni Size in Reading, Bloc Party in Birmingham; and a major concert at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall featuring artists including New Order, Super Furry Animals and The Fall.