The winner of the Suffolk New College battle of the bands competition will be performing an opening set at this year’s May Day festival in Alexandra Park, Ipswich.

The event, organised by music performance level two student Albert Dela Cerna, 16, will be held at the Goals Bar from 7pm on Thursday, March 23, with tickets available for £3 on the door.

The night will be raising money for the May Day Festival, with the winning band earning a slot at the festival’s music stage.

Albert decided to organise the event when the Suffolk Young Labour Party launched a petition for more live music venues in Ipswich after Pump and Grind closed.

Albert said: “It was a reply to young people wanting more gigs and I thought that if it is for young people we should have young bands, and hopefully open up more inspirational events to pop up.

“I am hoping this event might inspire people to look for more venues that could already be out there.”