A CANCER charity will host a star-studded "indoor T in the Park" at a city hotel.

Cancer Support Scotland has organised the Battle of the Bands contest, to be judged by a host of celebrity guests including Jackie Bird and Sanjeev Kohli.

TV presenter Laura Boyd and radio DJ Ally McCrae will also be among the judging panel.

Cancer Support Scotland chief exec-utive Colin Graham said: "We hope this event will showcase some of Scotland's top musical talent and help support people affected by cancer at the same time.

"It's going to be a great night."

Cash raised will be put towards develop-ing the range of services the charity offers including providing complem-entary and talking therapies to people with cancer, as well as their families and carers.

Scots comedian Andy Cameron will host the showcase on April 3, which will see four amateur bands performing to hundreds of music fanatics.

Glasgow punk band The Skinny Velvets have been signed up to play on the bill, alongside three other groups from across the country.

Band members Roxy Lees, 30, Susie McConnell, 34, and Ryan Shearer, 30, are all from Glasgow's South Side and write their own songs together with singer Angie Gray, 32, from Cambuslang.

Having performed at a string of city venues already, the four-piece is excited at the possibilities the contest could bring.

Bassist Roxy said: "We are looking for-ward to supporting Cancer Support Scotland as it is a charity close to our hearts, and also playing with the other bands.

"It sounds like it will be a fun night and I think there will be a great turn out, so I am really looking forward to being part of it."

The group will be battling it out against five-piece blues band Harmonica Lewinksi, from Helensburgh, and Edinburgh-based bands The Caravan Club and Hunter.

A 500-strong audience are expected to turn out to the event, which will take place in the Marriot Hotel on Argyle Street.

The winning band will receive a three-hour recording session at the Gorbals Sound Studios Pollok-shaws Road.

The indoor take on Scotland's oldest music festival aims to raise thousands of pounds.

Raffle prizes will be up for grabs on the night, including passes for the Edinburgh Tattoo and retail vouchers.

Tickets can be bought by phone on 0141 337 8199 or by emailing fundraising @cancersupport scotland.org

hannah.rodger@ eveningtimes.co.uk