IF you happen to be travelling around the country during your summer hols, keep an eye out for a Yate's Wine Lodge.

No, I'm not advocating mammoth drinking sessions, but plugging a competition to find the next big thing in the business.

Heats of the Miller Genuine Draft Undiscovered Originals competition are being held at branches of the pub chain throughout the country during August and September.

Yate's in The Parade, Watford is hosting a heat, on Thursday, September 28, with music from three bands.

Although there are no local groups taking part, it sounds like a good reason for a night out.

More than 1,500 bands applied to take part in the contest, in which the top prize includes £5,000 worth of new equipment and a day in a recording studio.

Each group applied with a demo of their songs and a panel of judges whittled the numbers down to just 108 to perform in regional heats.

Watford's hostelry plays host to Micro, from Finsbury Park, Amoeba, from Holloway, and Little Entity, from Woking.

Each band will play a 20-minute set and the evening's winner will go through to the regional finals in October. Semi-finals will be held at four different venues in November, with the final being on Saturday, November 25, at a venue to be confirmed.

Apart from the undiscovered contest, the fortunes of local bands seem to be looking up.

St Albans rockers CAT are doing good things, touring Ireland last month. And Trooper, Headrush and Stoneblue are just waiting for a record company to realise their talent.

This week I heard Luggage has been invited to play a showcase at London's Sound club - formerly Sound Republic - on Friday, September 1, where representatives from various record companies will be in attendance.

The band says they want as many local fans as possible at the gig - so make a note.

The London gig comes hot on the heels of the release of a charity CD-single, Children of The Storm.

The haunting song, penned by vocalist Laura Wood, was inspired by the plight of children caught up in the Rwandan civil war.

Money raised from the sale of Children of the Storm will be donated to the charity War Child.

The song has already received national airplay on Chris Evan's breakfast show on Virgin Radio, and a mention on ITV's This Morning.

Copies of the CD, which includes studio and live versions of the song are priced £3 and are available from Strawberry Fields in High Street, Rickmansworth, and by contacted the band's manager, Mr Chris Markland on 0385 346326. For more information visit the group's web site on www.luggage.org.uk.

Here are the gigs:

Tonight: The Hamsters perform ZZ Top and Hendrix The Horn, St Albans, £6. The Self Righteous Brothers Eddie's Wine Bar, Rickmansworth. Stoneblue Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Road, London,10pm, £4. Wa Wa Zat Jumpin' Jaks, Hemel Hempstead. Will Killeen The Crown, Ley Hill, Chesham, contact 01494 783910 for details. The Grapevine Blues Band The Greyhound, Harlow.

Friday: The Glam Busters/DJ Hansi The Horn, St Albans, £5, contact 01727 844627 for details. Goodfellas Rose and Crown, Kings Langley, £3. Danceteria with Norman Jay/Chris Good Room 1 and Boneyard with Fabio Paras Room 2, Area nightclub, The Parade, Watford, 9pm to 3am, £5 before 10.30pm, £8 after. Burn The Cherry Tree, Flackwell Heath. Duelling Pianos Jumpin' Jaks, Hemel Hempstead.

Saturday: The Bohemians The Horn, St Albans, £5. Bad Influence Rose and Crown, Kings Langley, £1 before 9pm, £2 after. The Self Righteous Brothers The James Joyce, Kenton. Sister Bliss/Jon Nelson Room 1 and Jules Spinner/Chris Good Room 2, Area nightclub, The Parade, Watford, 9pm to 3am, £10, £8 members. Duelling Pianos Jumpin' Jaks, Hemel Hempstead.

Sunday: The Blue Angel Acoustic Cafe The Horn, St Albans, 7.30pm to 10.30pm, free.

Monday: Jammin Night The Horn, St Albans, 8pm, £2. UU2 tribute to U2 Jumpin' Jaks, Hemel Hempstead.

Tuesday: Devlin/ENQ The Horn, St Albans, £3. Unplugged session Rose and Crown, Kings Langley.

Wednesday: Sixth/Black Candy/support The Horn, St Albans, £3. Boogie nights, 1970's and 80's disco and funk, Room 1 and house and garage DJ competition, Room 2, Area nightclub, The Parade, Watford, 9pm to 2am, free. The Slaves Jumpin' Jaks, Hemel Hempstead.

Thursday: Sus-Sex Pistols The Horn, St Albans, £6. The Self Righteous Brothers Clarendon Arms, Chandlers Cross. Sixth Sense Rose and Crown, Kings Langley, free. Ladykillers Jumpin' Jaks, Hemel Hempstead. Steve Simpson/Derek Timms The Crown, Ley Hill, Chesham, contact 01494 783910 for details.