NORTH-EAST rock band Fude are through to the third round of the national Battle of the Bands contest.

Jack Hardwick, Sam Cull and Adam Austin, all 17, and 16-year-old Matthew Roberts, who all attend the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, beat off three other bands to qualify alongside Manchester band Dust.

Hundreds of bands originally entered the event which has a first prize of £5,000.

Fude also won through the first round of Hartlepool Battle of the Bands last weekend.