ONE of the region's top unsigned acts has taken a further step towards stardom after winning this year's Big Chance competition.

Stone Coda, featuring Leroy Buckley, Aly Buckley and Jason Panudy, won the competition in front of an audience at The Georgian Theatre in Stockton.

The Darlington band will be awarded a three-day recording session at Sanity Multimedia Recording Studio, Stockton, 100 CDs, and cover artwork donated by design firm House of Type, in Middlesbrough.

The runners up were Eskimo, who are Tom Duffy and Luke Southgate, and 101, made up of Tim Lowe, Robin Love and Richard Coxon.

The Big Chance, produced in partnership by The Northern Echo and 96.6 tfm radio station, sought to find the region's top unsigned act. Thursday's music showcase was the culmination of more than two months' work, during which judges and music fans helped narrow down more than 50 entries to the final three.

Judges at the gig were Matt Emmerson, of 96.6 tfm, Michael Atkinson, editor of the Revolution website, Jonathan Burrows and Adam Sayers, of Sanity Multimedia Studio; and John Whitehead, of The Fourth Chamber.

The judges praised all the entries and said the quality was excellent.

"Stone Coda did not falter at all through their set and proved their worth as Big Chance winners 2003," said Mr Atkinson yesterday.

"Fans will get another chance to see Stone Coda when they play at The Georgian on Saturday night."

Sheelagh Caygill, digital media editor at The Northern Echo, said: "It was a fantastic night of rock and pop, and music fans from around the region have had a great time

"The competition has been a success, and that is thanks to musicians, fans and our sponsors."

Host for the night was 96.6 tfm DJ Steve Harris.

Sponsors that made the event possible were Darlington College of Technology; Blackett, Hart and Pratt; The Fourth Chamber; Northumbrian Water; and Copperfield Clothing/Air Clothing.

For news and pictures from the Big Chance final gig, log on to Revolution at:

www.thisisrevolution.co.uk