AN initiative to discover and nurture home-grown talent by allowing artists to release their latest compact discs is gathering pace.

Twelve bands and artists have been signed to 6K Vision, the country's only county council-run record label.

They have been working on new material for months and their EPs will be launched at an annual music and arts festival, being staged at St John Fisher High School, Harrogate, on July 9 and 10.

North Yorkshire County Council has been developing the record label for the past year through the Education Services' Connecting Youth Culture team.

It aims to discover and nurture talent from around the county and give young artists opportunities within the music industry in North Yorkshire, instead of having to move to London.

Councillor Jim Clark, executive member for education, said: "Until now, anyone wanting to pursue a career in popular music had to move away from the county. With 6K Vision they no longer have to and some of the country's most talented youngsters are now flourishing at home."

The latest releases include Latin American-influenced pop, rap and rock music.

Project leader Andy Elliott said: "As a label it is run by young people for young people. Without their input 6K Vision Records would not exist."

Listeners can find out more about the new releases at www.6Kvision.co.uk

Published: 01/07/2004