A group of young rock musicians have won the chance to perform in front of thousands at an Oxfordshire music festival.

Chipping Norton School pupils Jamie Biles, 17, Andy Thomas, 16, and Sam Griffiths, 16, will be opening the main stage of Cornbury Festival, held near Charlbury in July.

The three teenagers — who go by the name Relay — were given the chance after winning an annual Battle of the Bands competition at school.

Drummer Andy, from Hook Norton, said: “We were all very chuffed.

“Winning the chance to play at Cornbury is just amazing — it’s the big time for all of us.

“We are nervous about performing in front of such a large crowd and with it being the main stage, there will definitely be a lot of nerves. But loads of our mates have said they are going to come and support us.”

Jamie, who plays guitar for the indie rock band, said he was looking forward to getting his first taste of music stardom.

He added: “It’s going to be great. We will get the chance to hang around back stage and then in the evening go and watch the headliners perform on the same stage we were on.

“We’ve been told who is going to be headlining this year, but we are sworn to secrecy. The organiser would kill me if I told anyone – or take away our set.”

This is the second year in a row the band have won the school’s annual competition.

Bass guitarist Sam said: “There were 12 bands and we really didn’t think that we would win it again this year.

“There are some great musicians at the school, but we played well and everyone seemed to like us.”

Cornbury Festival organiser Hugh Phillimore was one of the judges.

He said: “I was on the judging panel last year and I was really impressed by the quality of the acts that performed. I remember seeing Relay before and thinking that they were really good, I could imagine them opening for someone like Paul Weller.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk