Here's the info:

NEW ROOTS A competition for young musicians

§ Are you under 25? § Do you sing or play traditionally based music ? § Do you live in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk or Suffolk?

If so, this is for you.

Whether your style is traditional or contemporary folk, roots or world music, whether you perform traditional material or write your own, we'd like to hear from you. There are two categories, under 18 and 18-24.

Prizes include performance opportunities at Towersey festival, St Albans folk at the festival, Herts Summer Festival, the Hollybush Folk Club Redbourn, Hitchin Folk Club, Islington Folk Club plus a free pass to Cambrodge Folk Festival ?and cash!

The competition will be judged by the Fraser sisters, Steve Heap and Michael Catovsky.

To enter: Send a cassette or CDR with up to 15 minutes of your music to: Alison Macfarlane, 40 Warwick Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4DL.

Closing date was 28 February 2002 but late entries will be accepted over the next few days. Please ring 01727 852111 or send a message to Alison.Macfarlane@lineone.net if you are definitely entering.

Performers short-listed by the judges will be invited to take part in the final, taking place on Sunday April 14, 2.00 pm at The Abbey Theatre Studio, Westminster Lodge, St Albans. This will be followed by a concert at 7.00pm in The Abbey Theatre Studio featuring the Fraser sisters plus competition finalists. For concert tickets and other enquiries ring 01727 852111.