GO-AHEAD sixth formers have come up with a Battle of the Bands type contest - and are hoping it will take them to the top.

The lower sixth students at Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley, formed a company, sold merchandise to fund the contest and have persuaded professionals from the industry to act as judges.

The ten 16 and 17 year olds, who are all taking four A Levels, have even managed to get a top Leeds recording studio to offer a professional recording session to the winner.

And they have even secured the prestigious Queen's Hotel in Leeds as a venue for next month's weekend event.

The students have set up the company as part of the national Young Enterprise Scheme - which encourages students to form a company to develop their business sense.

Sam Payne, 17, managing director of Skadoosh, said they had come up with the idea of the contest because of the current popularity of television shows such as Popstars and Pop Idols.

But the contest had a wider appeal and was open to both solo artists and bands who performed any style of music.

"A few of us are quite musical but the real aim was to put on a big event," said Sam.

Aimed at 14 to 21 year olds, it is open to anyone who fancies a taste of stardom. Professionals from the worlds of music and media will judge the contest which will take the form of heats on the first day with the semis and finals on the next day.

Sam said: "It's a great opportunity for people to get some advice from people who actually know what they're talking about.

"They'll have a ten minute slot to perform their song and then there'll be some feedback from the judges."

Winners will win a professional recording session at Leeds studio Sponge during which they will produce a CD.

The students are also fairly confident that they will be able to persuade Virgin Megastore in Leeds to sell the CD. Runners up will receive vouchers from Scheeper's Music Store in Leeds.

Sam said he had little trouble in persuading so many people from the music and media industry to take part.

The aim of the whole project, from the launch of the company last year, through the selling of merchandise and the running of a tuckshop, to the competition, is for the national Young Enterprise Scheme.

Young entrepreneurs from schools across the country enter a business project aimed at showing their grasp of business and ingenuity. The companies are eventually wound up and any proceeds given to charity.

The A Chance to Record event is due to take place on Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24 at The Queen's Hotel, Leeds. Entry into the contest is £8 for solo artists and £15 for bands. For more information visit: www.skadoosh.com