A MUSIC network which has been bringing together the county's musical movers and shakers celebrates its first birthday with some indie-tinged punk later this month.

The CumBrio music network, which provides a platform for the county's music scene, celebrates a successful first year with a birthday bash at the Grand Prix Club, Brough, on January 28.

The show kicks off at 11.30pm with Whitehaven's Colurblind playing their unique brand of fast-paced melodic punk rock. The west-coast trio are joined by up-and-coming Barrow band Legohair and indie rockers Kairoscuro.

CumBrio Music Network was set up last year by music charities Generator and Music Links and aims to strengthen the foundations of Cumbria's live music scene by organising professional gigs across the county.

"The network has been a real success, I feel really proud of it," said Andy Halsey, of Music Links. "It's taken a while for us to really settle on the right people in the right places but now we have really committed and focused promoters across the county.

"We have got to the point where it is vibrant and exciting with bands getting up to four gigs a month."

He said future plans for CumBrio included more gigs showcasing new talent and more financial investment.

"The plan this year is to put on four showcases in the north, south, east and west of the county," he said. "Brough is the first of those four gigs. We have worked that little bit harder, there has been more investment financially and in promoting. We look forward to 2005 when we will do our best to give even more bands the chance to show what they can do right across the county."

For more information, log on to www.cumbrio.org.uk l Buses will be running from Kirkby Stephen 10.30pm and Appleby 11pm to the Grand Prix Club. Buses return at 2am.

l A TRIO of new musical talent descends on Barrow tonight for Furness Music Promotions monthly CumBrio show. Established Barrow band Legohair headline with support from Carlisle act Cuyahoga and Ulverston's Mindless. Doors open at 8pm and entry costs £2 or £1 with an NUS card. All profits go to the Barrow AFC's development fund. Any bands who want to perform at future FMP/CumBrio events should email www.furnessmusicpromotions.uk