Come along to the Oxford Punt - a musical extravaganza staged at eight different venues in the city.

There will be 21 bands playing on Thursday (May 17) at various venues in the fourth annual event of its kind.

Organised by Nightshift Magazine, and sponsored by Borders book shop, the Punt is giving music fans a chance to check out the city's undiscovered musical talent.

Event organiser Ronan Munro said: "It's a great showcase for 21 of the best unsigned bands in Oxford."

Venues include Borders, The Zodiac, The Bullingdon Arms, Po Na Na and The Point, with up-and-comers Testcard, Mook, Spacehopper, Marconi's Voodoo and Meanwhile Back In Communist Russia all in the line-up.

The original idea for the Punt came during the warm-up for Oxford Sound City in 1997 and has continued to expand ever since.

With more than 150 demo tapes received from bands wanting to take part, competition for places was intense, and the quality of music is now higher than ever. The event kicks off at Borders at 6.15pm, when singer songwriter KTB will be performing.

Things draw to an energetic close seven hours later at Po Na Na with highly rated dub-punk-funk crew Tongue & Groove. For those wishing to see more than one venue's worth, there are a limited number of £6 Punt passes, and these allow admission to all venues.

Passes can be obtained from Polar Bear Records, Cowley Road, or online from www.oxfordmusic.net or direct from Nightshift at 65, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2BE.

For further information, call 01865 798793.