THE day of reckoning is looming for local bands battling for a place on stage at the Bingley Music Live festival.

The festival, dubbed "the North’s last great party of summer", is giving local acts the chance to become part of the line-up.

The grand final of its annual Emerging Talent contest is to be held on Friday at The Exchange Music Venue and Arts Centre, Russell Street, Keighley.

And up for grabs are four slots playing to the crowds on the festival's two stages, alongside star acts such as Labrinth, Embrace and James.

The competition, hosted by The Musicians Centre in partnership with Bradford Council, has had 24 acts battle it out over four heats.

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These have now been whittled down to eight finalists.

Four heat winners, Rock Bottom Risers, Lions for a Day, Where Fires Are and Nervous 'Orse have made it through to the finals, along with four other acts selected in the heats - City of Lights, Francis, Sleepy Jake Segrave and The Incredible Magpie Band.

These eight will be battling for four slots at the Council-run festival in Bingley's Myrtle Park from Friday, September 4, to Sunday, September 6.

Two of the bands will get to play on the Main Stage over the weekend and two will appear on the Discovery Stage.

All the heats have been judged by representatives of Bingley Music Live and the Musicians Centre, who will also give the final verdict on Friday.

One of the judges, Bradford Council's leisure events manager Andrew Wood, said: "Every year we are really impressed at the level of talent out there.

"This year was no exception and we are going to have some tough decisions on Friday.

"This contest will give the winning acts exposure to a wider audience and a stepping stone to bigger things.

"Thank you again to the Musicians Centre for organising and hosting the competition."

The competition starts at 7pm and admission is free.

Major acts already confirmed for this year's Bingley Music Live include Super Furry Animals, Ella Eyre, Ash, Cast, Peter Hook and the Light, Funeral For A Friend and Carl Barat and the Jackals.

The festival will host some of the very best of both new and undiscovered talent on its Discovery Stage with a range of acts that already promises Radio One favourites and exciting new acts, such as Rae Morris, Scott Matthews, Fickle Friends, Pixel Fix, Meadow Lark, Adam French, The Black Delta Movement and Weirds.