A HAMPSHIRE college can boast a 100 per cent record - which is sweet music to the ears of three popular bands.

Hard work by Totton College BTEC tutors Brian Price and Geoff Shepherd has paid off with their students making it into phase two of a battle of the bands competition that could lead to Europe.

Each of the three groups boasts students from the college and they all tasted success in a recent Emergenza-organised contest at the Joiners Arms in Southampton. They now move on to compete at leading city live music venue, the Brook at Portswood.

Success there will put them a step closer to representing England at a German music festival.

Livewire were second in round one and will take their place in the next stage.

Although all the members are still only 18 years old they have been together for more than three years.

"We have developed a melodic indie-rock style and a strong local following," said guitarist Nick Surtees.

Livewire will be competing against Adria and SpyderBaby - although not on the same night.

Adria are a new grunge band who took first place in round one. SpyderBaby have a unique sound of old and new heavy metal.

Livewire can be seen at the Brook tonight, SpyderBaby tomorrow and Adria on Saturday.

Mike Spall, editor of South Scene magazine, which is free from most record shops in the south, said: "The south is packed with musical talent and, hopefully, it will just be a matter of time before one of the acts breaks into the big time."