A HASLINGDEN band is banging the drum for Rossendale's music scene after winning a Battle of the Bands' contest in Manchester.

Skapunk band Ded Mole Crickit spent the weekend celebrating after being awarded first place in the second round at The Music Box.

The band, made up of teenage brothers Joe, 16, and Timmy Greenwood, 19, Rawtenstall's Greg Allen, 20, and Ben Lang, also 20, have been playing throughout East Lancashire, Bury and Manchester.

They have built up a steady fan base and are set to play at Rossendale and Hyndburn's Melas.

The brothers' dad Andy Greenwood, who opened the cellar of their home in Blackburn Road, for the band to practice, said: "It's their dream to make it big in the music scene.

"They have been working hard at it for the past four years and are really dedicated."

The band will now go on to compete in the North West final at the Academy 2 in Manchester with 18 other bands to win a place in the national final held in London to be held later this year.

The bands going to London will then be chosen by a panel of judges.