A YORK band has beaten thousands more from across the country to the grand final of a national talent competition.

Believe In F.A.T.E, who only formed last year, were one of about 10,000 bands who entered the Live & Unsigned contest for the chance to win a UK tour in front of 40,000 people, and up to £50,000 investment in their music.

The band, comprising Danny Porter and Joel Hewitt on guitars and vocals, drummer Ashley Harrison and bassist John Heaver, competed in the regional finals in Sheffield in April, before they took a bus filled with local fans to the next round in Manchester last weekend.

Angela Heaver is a supporter of the band who travelled to Manchester to see them win the place in the national final.

She said: “Collectively known as The Fellowship of FATE, we, the fans, would like to say congratulations to the band. The host at Manchester said the words we had been longing to hear, ‘The second band with a guaranteed place to play live at the O2 London is… Believe’. He couldn’t get past that word before he was drowned out by our cheers.”

The final will see the York rockers perform along with 14 other bands on July 23at the O2 in London.

Gemma Holloway, band manager, said: “We are overwhelmed and still in shock that we’re through to the grand final.”

Singers Emily and Danielle Atkinson, aged 12 and ten respectively, of Boroughbridge, who perform as Distracted, reached the last 75 of the competition.

They are now trying for a wildcard to go through to the final at the O2.

To vote for Disctracted to go through to the final textwildcard229 to 84222.