A NORTH-East radio presenter has offered his services as compere of a show aimed at helping find the region's top rock and pop acts.

The concert has been organised as part of The Big Chance, a competition run by The Northern Echo's music website, Revolution.

Ricky Durkin, programme controller and afternoon DJ at Alpha 103.2 in Darlington, has agreed to offer his hosting services free for the event, which starts at 6.30pm, at Darlington College of Technology, on Thursday, June 6.

Admission to the show will be free, with tickets available soon.

A winning pop act and a winning rock band - selected by an online poll and voting on the night of the show - will each win a string of prizes.

These will include three days of recording time and two days of rehearsal room time, courtesy of Sanity Multimedia, in Stockton.

Three acts from each genre will be selected by a panel of judges to go through to the concert.

For full details of the competition, prizes and how to enter, as well as for an application form, visit the Revolution website at www.thisisrevolution.co.uk.

The deadline for entries is Friday, May 17.