A BBC programme, dedicated to supporting up-and-coming musicians, is to launch a second show this weekend.

BBC Music Introducing in Hereford & Worcester, which broadcasts every Saturday from 8pm, is to double its airtime with an additional timeslot on Sundays from 6pm.

Since its launch in 2005, the team has been overwhelmed with the amount of musical talent coming out of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with more than 15,000 demos sent in during the last decade from the area.

The picture, nationally, is also very similar - with 170,000 artists now registered and 500,000 songs submitted.

Presenter Andrew Marston says: “We have such an incredible music scene right here on our doorstep - and I looked down the pile of music that I’d earmarked for broadcast and realised, if I never received a song again, I still had enough to carry me through the next decade without repeating a single track!”

Originally broadcast as the Friday Session, the programme has gone on to discover acts such as Ellie Goulding, Becky Hill and Peace.

As well as the superb quality of music the programme showcases, there’s a weekly gig guide, local music news, interviews with movers and shakers, a Musicians’ Masterclass, a local history of great gigs and musical legends, coverage of local festivals, plus live sessions on the show every week.

Andrew continues: “The new show makes it really easy to plan - and sharpens the focus for our audience: ‘Is this more of a Saturday night or a Sunday night track?’”