Teenagers in Chippenham metal band Roads to Nowhere are just three-and-a-half minutes away from playing the biggest gig of their lives in London’s O2 arena.

The band, Jake Reid, Lee Butler and James Spiller from Chippenham, Lauren Todd from Melksham and Joe Grimes from Box, have just one more chance to win over the judges of this year’s Live and Unsigned competition.

If they make it through the south west England and Wales area final at Sub89 in Reading on May 27, the group will take to the stage to compete for the top prize.

Jake’s dad Brian Reid, who manages the group, said Roads to Nowhere were exceptional in the previous stage of the competition.

“It’s the chance of a lifetime,” he said. “They were absolutely amazing last time. They practised so hard and it went off without a hitch. Out of the 25 acts that played in that stage, ten of them got to go through.

“The first name they read out was Roads to Nowhere. It was pandemonium, the place went wild when everyone realised we were through.”

Acts taking part in the live area finals will perform in front of hundreds of spectators for a professional judging panel, including judges from Radio One, Kerrang! magazine and Choice FM.

More than 10,000 acts entered, and the few left in the competition are now in with a chance of making their way to the final at London’s O2.

The overall winners will take home the £10,000 main cash prize, and perform in the Live and Unsigned festival tour, as well as receiving £10,000-worth of investment into publicity for their music.

Mr Reid said it was wonderful to see the diversity of the acts performing.

“There were so many talented performers there, it makes it even more of an honour to get through,” he said.