THE heats for the Road to Blissfields have been announced to give Hampshire bands a chance to tread the festival stage.

The Blissfields Festival has traditionally combined local and national bands for its annual summertime extravaganza.

Acts for the 2012 event at Vicarage Farm in Woodmancott near Winchester will be announced in the coming weeks.

Big names from previous years include Frank Turner, Tricky, Super Fury Animals, Stereo MCs and I Am Arrows.

A knockout battle of the bands will be held in six towns and cities across the south to complete this year’s line up.

It includes a heat in Brighton on Friday, March 9 and Reading on Friday, April 20.

The rest will be held in Hampshire with The Sanctuary in Basingstoke hosting a heat on Friday, March 16.

The Road to Blissfields then moves to the Railway Inn, Winchester, on Saturday, April 7.

Portsmouth-based bands will be trying their luck at The Edge of the Wedge in Southsea on Friday, April 27.

The final heat will be held at The Joiners in St Mary’s, Southampton, on Friday, May 18.

Blissfields will take place from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1. Visit blissfields.co.uk for more details.