THREE former Richard Huish College students have hit the big time securing a demo recording deal with their band Showing Off To Thieves.

Bass player Phil Maggs, drummer Tom Lloyd and guitarist Andy Bradshaw are all from Taunton and with fellow band member Andy German they have been named the European winners of the 2007 Burnout Bandslam, sponsored by EA Games.

The competition received entries from more than 2,100 bands from all over Europe and culminated in an intense public ranking process - with over 2,500,000 MySpace users participating in the voting.

The band will receive a demo recording deal in a collaboration between Virgin Records and EA and a chance to have their song included in a future 'Burnout' videogame.

They formed in 2005 at Bath Spa University, and began recording together as part of the Commercial Music degree course, which also requires students to undertake a national tour to promote their work.

The band signed their first independent record deal in 2006 with Bath-based independent record label Lockjaw records.

Bassist Phil Maggs said: "We're really excited because it means that our track Everyone Has Their Secrets will be on the next Burnout game on the PS3 and Xbox 360 - so millions of gamers worldwide will get to hear our songs.

"We're looking forward to starting work on the demos for Virgin Records in the USA."

And guitarist Andy Bradshaw added: "The Commercial Music course has given us the opportunity to develop our sound and get started on the live circuit, so when we graduate this summer we'll be able to launch straight into the music industry as a signed band."

Richard Huish College will be featuring Showing Off To Thieves at the 2007 Rockfest which features 16 college bands and two guest bands/ The gig is being held for the first time at Blackbrook Pavilion, Blackbrook Way, Taunton on Friday May 18 and 19 with the first bands playing at 6.40pm.

Tickets cost £5 from Richard Huish College box office on 01823-320810 or on 01823-333435.