THE local headline makers of 2001 were Blackburn bands The 'Burn and Tompaulin.

Both took giant steps forward on the national circuit putting Blackburn and East Lancashire firmly on the musical map.

The 'Burn spent the early months locked away in their rehearsal rooms above the Cellar Bar. And after a relentless programme emerged in the summer a confident, polished outfit, ready to rub shoulders with the very best.

Taking their acoustic/rock set onto the road, they played across the country with many of the best new talents including The Coral, Haven and The Music.

But they really came of age as a band when they took to the bigger stage with the legendary Oasis, on the their tenth anniversary tour. As Liam Gallagher applauded from the wings it was obvious they hold their own with the best. And their amazing year was brought to a fitting end with Paul Weller and a brace of shows at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Having spent so much time on the road the lads have released just one single, a very limited edition 7-inch version of 'Facing the Music'.

Strictly limited to 1,000 copies, the collectors' item is an early demo which also appeared in the summer on their label's compilation album.

Tompaulin on the other hand have made their way down a more unconventional road, choosing instead to release their music on a host of different labels.

Always doing things in their own time and way, they released their debut album, 'The Town and the City', in November on the trendy Manchester label, Uglyman.

Written about their hometown and their experiences around Blackburn the group have become firm favourites with Radio One DJs John Peel and Steve Lamacq.

Oswaldtwistle based Big Dog, barked into life in the spring and released an album and two singles on Zomba Records. Fronted by former Black Grape rapper Kermit, and featuring local lads Mark Jones and Ged Lynch, the band drew the shortest straw of the summer clashing with the highly rated New York punksters The Strokes at the Leeds Festival. But despite all the odds and going up against the darlings of the music media, they packed out the dance tent with their hip-hop fuelled guitar music and Kermit's bizarre ramblings.

The number of bands to emerge from Clayton-le-Moors grows almost by the week, with Ten Stone Dead among the area's hardest working groups.

After a change in line-up and a complete re-write of their music, they spent most of the year building a solid fanbase across Yorkshire and The Lake District.

Ribble Valley outfit Jobe, relocated to Manchester, have been turning heads in the city with their bright indie music. After impressive performances at the Roadhouse they've been taken under the wing of Ian Brown's manager.

On the pop scene former Bliss girls Abigail Jackson and Laura Heyworth returned to the live scene as an R&B infused duo. While their former group briefly re-appeared with a new line-up before disappearing after the summer.