THE second heat of the 2011 Okehampton Battle of the Bands had a distinctly local flavour last Friday as three Okehampton acts filled half the night's line-up.

Last-minute changes to the line-up allowed the diverse talent of the town to shine, with rapper Acappella, five-piece rock band The Situation and blues group The Monkey Gland Blues Band representing their home town with their own unique music stylings.

Organiser Chris Hodgson said the quality at the event was high: 'Each act took to the stage, determined to fill every last second of their sets, making it difficult for the judges as they were treated to a wide range of musical styles.'

In another closely fought heat, The Monkey Gland Blues Band won the heat.

Listing their influences as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Bob Dylan, the group's blues riffs and powerful harmonica playing won the judges over.

Exeter cover band Shoot the Messenger took second place, proving that the quality of a band can overcome the lack of original material.

The Monkey Gland Blues Band will join the winners of the first heat, Backbench Rebellion, at the Battle of the Bands Party in the Park finale on Saturday August 13 at Simmons Park along with two other bands and headline act, Ultimate Madness.

Okehampton's First Requiem will fight to win the final heat before the finale alongside six other acts.

The heat takes place tomorrow (Friday) at the Charter Hall from 7.30pm, with a licensed bar thanks to the Plymouth Inn.

Battle of the Bands organisers expressed thanks to main sponsors Steven's Estate Agents and the Plymouth Inn and all the other businesses and organisations that have given their support.

For more information visit http://www.okehamptonbattleofthebands.co.uk">www.okehamptonbattleofthebands.co.uk or follow the Battle of the Bands Facebook page.