THE finalists have been chosen, the judges are getting ready, the awards have been polished and now all that is needed is the audience!

Next weekend, drumming enthusiasts and music fans are being invited to attend the final of the first ever PDC Young Drummer Competition.

Young people from Redditch, Worcestershire and beyond applied to be crowned the next drumming legend, battling it out throughout the summer, entering the competition which was organised by The Palace Drum Clinic.

Now six finalists, aged between 11 and 21, have been picked to perform at a special event at Redditch Town Hall on Saturday, September 21 where an overall winner will be chosen.

The competition will be judged by good friend of John Bonham and pro drummer Garry Allcock, Palace Drum Clinic founder Matt Green, Ros Sidaway on behalf of John Bonham A Celebration II and a special guest judge to be announced.

The event will also be compared by world renowned drummer Ian Palmer.

The winner of the competition will also get the chance to perform to a large crowd at next year’s John Bonham A Celebration II event.

Matt Green, founder of the Palace Drum Clinic, said: “Thank you to everyone who auditioned for our competition. It was a really tough decision as there was so much talent to choose from.

"I know guests at the final are in for a treat with our final six. All profits from the event will be going to charity so please do come and support these talented youngsters.”

The show will start at 1pm and run until 5pm with a half an hour interval.

Tickets can be bought on the door and cost £5. All proceeds will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Cllr Mike Rouse, leisure portfolio holder, said: “Thanks to the inspiration of people like John Bonham, Redditch is fast becoming a growing centre of excellence in the region for drumming talent. Competitions like this one are drumming up support for Redditch as a great place for cultural events for people of all ages.”