BATTLE of the bands winners Desid will be top of the bill at the ninth annual rock concert at George Ward School, Melksham tonight.

Four members of the five-piece band, whose sound has been described as a mix of indie and jazzy blues, are in the school's sixth form.

They came out on top after performing in front of a 200-strong audience at the Battle of the Bands contest at Matravers School, Westbury in January.

Lead singer and guitarist Matt Webster said: "We are happy with the amount of local interest we are getting and hope it will develop into something bigger and start to bring in some money big time."

Darian Nelson, community arts officer, said: "We were all very impressed with Desid. They were a cross between Pink Floyd and The Doors."

Among the performers will be an 11-year-old and three 12-year-olds, with six new acts appearing for the first time, beating off the competition from 23 acts who auditioned.

Acts such as Nishe, who won BBC Radio Wiltshire's battle of the bands contest, Dan Austin, who produced a chart busting album by The Cooper Temple Clause and Neil Gay, who regularly comperes at Bath's Porter Cellar Bar, started off at the school.

The concert has attracted the attention of ex-Marmalade member turned manager Alan Whitehead, who will be in the audience.

The money raised through the event will go to the school's Morocco expedition fund, which gives pupils the chance to trek through the desert and the Atlas mountains, learning planning, team building, leadership and communication skills.

To boost the funds a raffle will also be held, with prizes given by Peter Gabriel, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and The Cooper Temple Clause.

The concert is not open to the general public but the work of 10 of the school's bands can be heard on a CD, Rock 2004, on sale from the school.