Hundreds of bands across Britain are competing for the prize of a lifetime a chance to play at one of this summer's top festivals.

Our Local Heroes contest has spurred on ambitious unsigned bands, hoping to get a crack at the big time. The contest, supported by the Oxford Mail's parent group Newsquest, allows bands to upload tunes on a special website, www.LHeroes.co.uk Fans and new admirers can then listen to the tracks for free, and if they like the sound vote or buy the mp3 track or realtone. Points accumulate from votes and purchases, and the top bands from each UK region then go forward to a national playoff, early next month. The final selection will then be made by an appointed music panel with the top band winning the chance to play at all, or any, of six selected summer festivals: Global Gathering and the Bulldog Bash, both near Stratford-upon-Avon; Summer Sundae, in Leicester; Beautiful Days in Devon; Get Loaded in the Park, in London; and Foundation, in Somerset.

And that's not all. As well as playing their set, the winners get their own tour manager, PR agent, backline equipment, roadies, photography, video crew and a taste of fame and fortune.

Among those already picking up votes are Oxford band Where I'm Calling From, right. The band have already raised eyebrows after a stunning performance in support of Absentee at the Zodiac, and a coveted slot at this year's Punt Oxford's one-night showcase of fresh talent.

Frontman Ben Osborn, from Wolvercote, pictured with the guitar, hoped the contest would raise awareness of new bands, and his in particular.

"I think its great," he said.

"It means the bands that people love are being promoted by the people who love them.

"I'm not sure what will come of it for us, but I hope it means more people will hear of us. I'd love to play a festival but there are a lot of good bands out there.

"We're just being cool about it unspeakably cool, in fact!"

Where I'm Calling From features Ben; long-time Wolvercote friend, bass player Michael Bleach; keyboardist Tom Dale, from Jericho; guitarist Joe Campbell, from Cutteslowe; and drummer Zahra Tehrani, from East Oxford.

"Our music covers lots of different genres," explains Ben, who has just completed his exams at the Cherwell School.

"I'm into traditional guitar music like folk and country, but as a band we have a more indie-rock sound, which is both quite dreamy and punky."

Indeed their complex mix of new wave, folk-pop and alternative- country has earned them enviable comparisons with the likes of Yo La Tengo and Belle and Sebastian.

Other than hoping fans will vote for them in the Local heroes contest, Where I'm Calling From are simply looking forward to getting out and gigging. Ben adds: "We have a lot of fun but are professional about it. We just want to keep playing and hope people will like us."

Listen to Where I'm Calling From and other Oxfordshire bands by going to the Local Heroes website: www.LHeroes.co.uk It is free to listen to tracks. Downloads cost 99p and single votes cost 50p.