A NEWPORT rock band could be following in the footsteps of The Beatles if they win a national competition.

The Henrees have been shortlisted by a panel of experts for the National Student Music Awards - and they could win recording time at the famous Abbey Road studios, London.

They would be emulating some major names in British music.

In the 1960s, the studios became synoymous with rock and roll - as well as The Beatles, Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Helen Shapiro and Shirley Bassey all laid down tracks within its walls.

More recently, Blackwood's Manic Street Preachers recorded This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours there.

A panel of judges from Radio 1, AIM, SubTV and the Musicians' Union selected The Henrees for the top 30 bands now in line for the honours.

From Wednesday to March 23, the public will be able to vote for their favourite band and videos of selected tracks will be played in Student Unions throughout the UK.

Each band will also make a live performance and The Henrees - Gareth Selfe, Dan Davies, Nick Fowler and Dave Stephenson - can be seen at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, on March 10.

Groups with the most votes will then play before judges in London and the winner will be given the recording time as well as having a track released.

Gareth, 32, said: "I'm in full-time education doing a film degree and by chance I was coming out of a lecture when I saw a poster about the competition so I put in our demo for a laugh. To be shortlisted is amazing. Even if we don't win it is great exposure."

The Henrees have performed alongside artists as diverse as Judge Jules, The Honeyz, The Buzzcocks and the James Taylor Quartet after an extensive tour of the UK in 2002 supporting Stiff Little Fingers.

* People can vote for the band by visiting www .NSMA.com or by texting "NSMA" followed by The Henrees to 83200 after Wednesday, January 26.