YOUNG talented Sidmouth College students rocked the school when they clashed at a battle of the bands gig this week. Five bands went head-to-head in the competition held on Wednesday evening and two bands were selected to perform at a Christian concert in

YOUNG talented Sidmouth College students rocked the school when they clashed at a battle of the bands gig this week.

Five bands went head-to-head in the competition held on Wednesday evening and two bands were selected to perform at a Christian concert in the summer.

Judged by the school's head of music, Jenny Parsons and former EMI records employee, Phil Lloyd, the bands each performed a 15 minute slot.

The eclectic range of music included cover versions of Kings of Leon, Libertines, Queens of the Stone Age, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz and Marc Bolan of T.Rex.

The groups who will go on to perform at the Connaught Gardens concert in June are 'The Raphaelites', comprising of Year 11s, Nathan Carpenter, Harry Wick, Joshua Tyler and Matthew Hindle; and 'Jonah and band', made up of 11-year-old Jonah Hitchens, Year Nine student, Jamie Maynard and Chris Tilke from Year Eight.

The three runners-up were solo acoustic performer, Cat Tilke; 'The Chinchillas', who include Charlie Scrivens, Jack Bolton, Jamie Maynard and Chris Tilke; and 'Super Motion' made up of Lauren Banfield, Jake Daniel, James Fuke and Lewis Beach-Borden.

Reverend Dave Brown, who organised the event, said he was impressed with the talent.

He said: "It was fantastic and everybody had a great time. Overall I was really impressed with the quality of the musicians. The first two acts had never performed as a group in public before but they did a great job.

"The bands performed cover versions and their own songs so there was a good mix of music."

Earlier in the day, students took part in a four hour Rock School workshop organised by Reverend Brown.

The selected Sidmouth College bands will be performing at the summer concert alongside two bands from The Kings School in Ottery, who will also be fighting for a place in the line-up at a competition later this month.

The Christian concert has been arranged as a celebration of the diocese of Exeter's 1,100 anniversary and will feature popular Christian bands and special guest Bishop Bob Evens of Crediton.