A huge battle of the bands contest with a $1 million record contract as a prize is to be held in the UK.

The Bodog Battle has previously been tried in the US with more than 7,500 acts competing at 350 live shows. They played to a celebrity panel of judges including ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon.

Organisers want to recruit new star judges and hold heats across the continent including at London, Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin and Berlin.

A final will be at London’s Astoria venue in March next year.

Calvin Ayre, who founded the phenomenon, explained: "The UK and Europe have given the world some of the best acts – David Bowie, U2, Massive Attack, the Beatles and Rolling Stones – and it’s my mission to find the best unsigned band in the land."

Bands can register at www.bodogbattle.eu and the first auditions will be next month September.