LIVE acoustic acts fought it out in a battle of the bands on Saturday night in Devizes to win the chance to appear at this year's Saddleback Music Festival.

Around 80 people watched the nine acts play at Devizes Sports Club in an event organised for the festival by music promoter Mirko Pangrazzi.

The battle went to a final round when George Wilding and Tamsin Quin when it was too close to pick between the two but after a sing-off Wilding was finally chosen by the judges as the winner and will now perform at the festival on July 14.

He will appear at the sports club alongside Marcus Bonfanti, Bad Touch, Mollie Marriott, John Verity Band, Innes Sibun Band, Jon Amor Band and the Saddleback Allstar Jam.

On Saturday the acts, which also included Alex Cash, Jack Moore, Clair Kearley, Sally Dobson, The Hand on the Mountain, Jamie R Hawkins and Mike Barham played three songs to showcase their individual style and talents.

Rick Kibby from the organising committee said: "The standard of musicianship and song writing proved that the local scene in Devizes is thriving and continues to get better.

"Any one of these acts could have won and the panel of three judges made up of John Edwards, Emma Wright and Vicci Florence Tyler had their work cut out.

"In fact the decision was not clear cut and George and Tamsin were asked to battle it out in a sing off. After two more great performances the judges came to a decision with George Wilding pipping Tamsin Quin as the overall winner."

Mr Kibby and Rick O'Shea acted as MCs for the evening and thanked everyone for their efforts.

Tickets costing £25 are now available for the July festival from www.saddlebackmusicfestival.co.uk or Devizes Books.