Three local teenagers have made it to the national final of a competition designed to showcase the very best unsigned musical talent from across the UK.

Their band Purity battled through the local heats, regional finals and semi finals and defeated more than 10,000 applicants to reach the last stage of the Live and Unsigned contest in London.

The exciting young band comprises guitarist Jack McGowen, 17, from Margate, bass guitarist and lead vocalist Richard Spanton, 15, from Margate, and drummer Jordan Baker, 14, from Broomfield, Herne Bay.

The school friends formed the group in 2006 and have played at several gigs in Thanet, performing original music and covers of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.

Live and Unsigned is the biggest music talent search in the UK and encourages contestants to be both individual and original.

The overall winner of the competition, which reaches its climax at Fairfield Halls on Saturday June 28, will record a complete album, working alongside vocal coaches in professional recording studios.

They will also have an opportunity to record a track written by acclaimed artist Lemar and Mark Hill, producer of R&B star Craig David.

For more information about Purity, visit the band’s website at http://www.puritytheband.co.uk or their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/purityseven.