Local rock band Mining Castro has reached the Top 10 in the XFM Rock School competition.

The four sixth-form students from Turton High School had been shortlisted for the final of the Manchester-based radio station's talent quest.

The boys, who are all 16 have been together for the passed 7 months say they are influenced by a wide range of music from Bloc Party to Slayer.

Rhythm guitarist Joe Lyons said: "We try not to sound like any of our influences, but put our own styles and twist on alternative indie rock."

He said: "We are focusing on the band equally as much as college work, but we plan to take a year out to pursue it and see where it may take us." The band plan to record a demo CD to send to record companies soon.

But the teenagers, Gavin Kelvin Sharpe, Eddy Jackson, Ollie Pritchard and Joe Lyons, who live in the Turton area narrowly missed out on the top prize in the competition - a place on the bill alongside The Charlatans at Manchester Apollo.

A sample of the group's music, photos and gigs can be found on their website: here.

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