The cream of Oxford's musical talent will be on display on Sunday following a poll to find the best song by an unsigned local act.

Thousands of music lovers voted in the TopoftheOx poll - which pitted 250 bands and musicians against each other. And the results will be on show in a special show at the Carling Academy in the city's Cowley Road.

The artist with the most votes was Oxford University student Sarah Warne - who will headline the show.

Miss Warne, who studies English at Christ Church and lives in Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon, describes her music as "melodic and lyrical chillout". Her song Secret polled 5,288 votes - something she admitted had been a surprise. Second prize winners were Celtic-tinged pop act Stornoway, with 4,105 votes.

Miss Warne said: "Being part of TopoftheOx has been a fantastic experience. What's so great about the competition is that it's all about the live music - the bands and artists who I have heard and met over the past few months have really inspired me with their diversity and talent.

"Recently I have been recording Secret for its release in February, which I am incredibly excited about. But at the moment all my thoughts are on playing at the Academy. I'm so excited that I can't tell if I'm nervous or not!"

Miss Warne has won an opportunity to record her song at a professional recording studio. The single will be released nationally by Crash Records, with an original video.

TopoftheOx spokesman Mark Hussey said: "Sarah's popularity in Oxford is self-evident when you consider she polled over 5,000 votes. Stornoway's live shows, meanwhile, are a delight. They've built up a loyal cult following and have big plans to craft and release their first album."

Also playing will be third-placed Minwah, along with The Fourth Chamber, Moon, Daniel Hammersley and Helium Soul. TopoftheOx chairman John Bosley said: "It's fantastic to be able to give local unsigned bands an opportunity to play in a prestigious venue like the new Carling Academy.

"With multiple weekly chart wins and a huge number of total votes their popularity gives them every chance of following Oxford bands Supergrass and the Young Knives into superstardom. Local musicians performing their own material would normally be performing in much smaller venues to smaller audiences. The exposure is invaluable."

Tickets for the event cost £5 and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or from the Academy. Doors open at 6pm.

AWARD NOMINEES: The TopoftheOx gig will also feature the first TopoftheOx Awards.

Categories include best band, best solo artist and best original act. The winners will be announced and awards presented at the gig.

Bands up for the best band gong are The Fourth Chamber, Stornoway, Shirley, The Last Verses and The Sirens Call. Battling it out for best solo artist will be John Miller, Moon, Jodi, Juliana Meyer, Daniel Hammersley, Puddle Warrior, Kaya Burgess and Rob Lever. The most diverse acts are in the original act category, with Mounted Insanity Cannon, Juliana Meyer, Mr Shaodow, Quadrophobe and Dogshow all nominated.