WORCESTER Music Festival has opened applications for bands looking to take part in this year's event.

Artists will perform at 20 venues across the city as part of the three-day festival, which will take place between Friday, September 14, and Sunday, September 16.

Every gig will be free to attend although people will be asked to donate towards Worcestershire Association of Carers.

A spokesman for the festival said: "Artists from every genre are invited to apply to the festival through their online application form that can be accessed via the festival's website.

"Performers will be asked to donate their time to help bring the city's music scene together, all in aid of a great cause.

"Local promoters will be given charge of a night in one of the 20 venues located in the city centre, handpicking a line-up from the artists applying.

"The authentic crafting of the bill has always proven a success, the incredible high quality of the musicians taking stage drawing large crowds of both music fans and passerbys.

"Last year, on its tenth anniversary, the festival hosted around 250 artists and drawing in crowds that neared the 1000's.

"Expanding the line-up last year to include both comedy and spoken word, there wasn't a second that lacked entertainment, indicating that this year's artistic array will be even more spectacular."

The festival has raised almost £50,000 for various charities since it started in 2008.

To apply to perform at the festival go on http://www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk/artistsapply/

For more information about the event visit www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk