A TEEN band is just a winning performance away from securing a place in the national finals of a top music competition which could land them a major record deal.

Electric Nightmares will perform with a select few acts in front of a packed audience and judging panel in Live and Unsigned 2009.

With more than 10,000 registrations, the competition is the biggest music talent search for original acts in the UK.

The Middlesbrough group, whose average age is 15, formed just a year ago.

Ben Turner, Eddy Maynard, Rob Maynard and Jessi Jones, who make up the band, consist of two brothers, a cousin and a best friend from school. They have played nearly 40 gigs including the Vibe Awards, the Empire, in Middlesbrough and the barfly in Birmingham.

Ben Turner, vocalist and guitarist with the band, said, We have been working really hard on the songs we are playing, ensuring that the transition between our own song and the cover is seamless. We can't believe we have got this far and are just one step away now from something which could be life changing!

They will be competing at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre on Saturday for a place in the final on June 27 at Portsmouth's Guildhall.

The overall winner of the competition wins a Recording and management contract with Future Music with an investment of up to 20,000 to release their single.

Other bands from the region in the area finals include Gin Soaked Boy from Darlington and Barnard Castle, Titus, Saint and the Cynics and Libby Hancock, from Newcastle; The Knutsens and Sour Pretty, from Gateshead.

They will be joined by Femme Fatale also Middlesbrough; Curio, from Wingate; Chrome-Attic, from Byker; Interlite, from Sunderland and Platinum Disco, from Scarborough.