A MALVERN guitarist is delighted after his band clinched victory in a local competition.

Four-piece group Da Vinci beat off rivals from across the Midlands to win a Battle of the Bands competition at the Marrs Bar in Worcester.

The progressive-rock-pop band, which performs only original material, won £1,000 of music equipment, a recording day at a local studio and a Friday night live set on Radio Hereford and Worcester.

Dan Watson, the band's bass guitarist, said he was very pleased and surprised to win.

"We only entered on the off-chance, we honestly didn't think we'd stand a chance against all the other young talent about.

"We were delighted though - it was fantastic, it has really given us a boost."

The band is also made up of frontman Declan Sharna, from Bromsgrove, lead guitarist Vinnie Liotta, from Worcester and drummer Joe Fletcher, of Malvern.

Formed around three years ago, the band performs gigs around the area and rehearses once a week in Worcester.

They are due to play at the West Fest, in West Malvern, in August and are about to release debut album Razorblade World.

For more details on the band, visit www.davincimusic.co.uk