Songbirds, guitar heroes and keyboard wizards took part in a X-factor style face-off to snare a top prize.

The Sussex Unplugged concert at the Komedia in Gardner Street, Brighton raised almost £400 for The Argus Appeal.

In front of a panel of expert judges and an audience of fans, 16 sizzling acts took to the stage with styles ranging from folk, rock, pop and ballads.

Battling it out in the final four line up were The Jems, Chris Marsh, The Chase and Paper Hawk.

The top prize of a day in Yellowfish Mobile Recording Studios, PR advice and a photo shoot with a photographer from The Argus went to Paper Hawk.

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The four-piece band met at BIMM in Brighton in March this year and have created a sound influenced by bluegrass, folk and indie bands.

Guitarist and vocalist Colin Stansbury said the group is looking forward to going into a professional studio for the first time.

He said: “We will go into the studio with the attitude of creating music that we like to listen to and that hopefully other people will want to hear.

“It’s going to be very exciting and a lot of fun.

“We are very grateful to the Argus for giving us this opportunity.”

Graham Cook, chairman of the judging panel and boss at badlands Guitars in Preston Road, Brighton, said: “The night gave us a real melting pot of talent, from the very young to the not quite so young, mixing solo performers with bands all giving their best on the night, making the judging very tight between acts.

“The level of musical ability was high, as we have come to expect in Brighton, the performers did the city proud with good spirits and camaraderie for one another throughout the contest.

“Very well done to Paper Hawk who pulled out a winning performance.

“We all look forward to the next Sussex Unplugged.”

For more photos of all acts performing on the night, visit The Sussex Unplugged page on the Argus Facebook site.