City of York Council's arts education team has put together a team of specialist tutors to run a summer school for aspiring young rock musicians.

Launched in 1998, the York Rocks summer school has grown each year and last year was extended to run over two weeks because so many enthusiastic singers and instrumentalists want to take part.

This year, around 60 promising young participants have been selected to work with professional musicians in a range of musical styles. Most of them don’t know each other and have never played together in a band. Young people aged between 11 and 18 years and with a range of abilities will be taking part. In just four days bands will be formed, songs composed and they will be ready to perform at a gig.

Mark Currey, from the council's arts education team, said: "York Rocks gives young people a chance to find out what its like to work with other musicians and perform in front of an audience so they can then go out and do it for themselves. Lots of the singers and instrumentalists who have previously attended the York Rocks course have started their own bands and are now doing gigs around York."

The York Rocks gig will take place at Fibbers on Thursday 2 August at 8pm. Doors open at 7.30pm and there is no entry fee. The age limit for entry to Fibbers is 15 years and above, and ID is essential for those under 21 years of age.