Four local choirs will battle it out in Bristol's very own 'Last Choir Standing' to win a place at this summer's musical extravaganza Prom on The Close.

The musicians will be singing their hearts out at a sing-off in Cabot Circus on April 23 to win this once in a lifetime chance to sing at the event, described as Bristol's "finest summer party".

The Prom, sponsored by the Post, takes place in the grounds of Clifton College on July 4 and this year is even more special as it is also part of the University of Bristol's centenary celebrations.

Organisers want to feature local choirs to help make it even more of a community event.

Choirs from around the city were invited to send in a tape, CD or DVD of them performing and five have been asked to take part in a sing-off, based on the TV show 'Last Choir Standing' to decide who will get to appear at the Prom.

The choirs will all be singing a cappella (which means without the help of any musical instruments) and because of space limitations the number of singers in each choir is limited to 16.

The Prom will also feature two of the UK's best young classical music talents, soprano Natasha Marsh and tenor Nicky Spence. The Emerald Ensemble, Bristol's professional chamber orchestra, will be performing many popular classics from the big screen.

The sing-off will include Partsong, a Bristol-based a cappella group, led by James Vaccaro.

They have performed their eclectic mix of folk, jazz, classical and popular songs at music festivals, concert halls, churches and street parties.

The only school choir to have got so far in the competition is The Six, an all-girl choir from Redland High School.

The six girls came together two years ago to perform madrigals in the school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Also competing is Bartones, a vocal harmony group based at Barton Hill which has been singing together for three years.

And finally hoping for this chance of a lifetime is Nota Bene, a seven-strong acapella choir based at St Bonaventure's Church, who have been together 12 years.

Lisa Mason, the ensemble's chairman and one of its founder members, said: "NotaBene is very pleased to have been shortlisted for Prom on the Close and we're looking forward to meeting the other performers at the sing-off, some of whom are old friends and others who will be new faces. ."

Vanessa Carrier, the Prom project manager, said: i

"We have put the emphasis back on making this year's event a traditional community Prom and we'll be looking to the choirs to open the programme for us."

Tickets for the Prom start from £20 and are available from www.promontheclose.com or the booking line 0870 774 0577.