Young bands are invited to enter this year’s Centre Stage competition to be in with a chance of winning a slot at Leeds Festival.

The competition, organised by Martin House Children’s Hospice, together with Leeds and Reading Festivals, has gone from strength-to-strength since its start in 2009.

Now in its fifth year, Centre Stage, which raises funds for the hospice, is inviting young bands and soloists of any genre to enter. Participants must be between aged between 11 and 21 and from West or North Yorkshire, and can enter independently, or with the support of their school.

Registered acts will undertake their own fundraising for Martin House. The competition is about to hit the £150,000 mark in funds raised.

Once entered, acts will be entered into the heats from April 22-24 at the Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds. Having been judged by a professional industry panel, the finalists will take to the stage at O2 Academy, Leeds, on July 23 after receiving professional mentoring.

The runners-up win a recording session at Eiger Studio.

  • For an application form go to martinhouse.org.uk/fundraising.