YOUNG professionals stepped out of their suits and on to the stage in a battle of the bands competition.

The When Bands Collide charity event at The Haunt in Brighton was organised by law firm Coffin Mew, who have bases across the South Coast. More than 200 music fans attended the competition at the music venue in Pool Valley.

The total sum raised from the night – largely from ticket sales – was £2,000 with half going to the winners’ chosen charity and the other half to the other bands’ charities.

Among the acts involved were Keep Rockin, the house band of chartered accountants and financial advisors Kreston Reeves; Von Bonasus, from global engineering consultancy Ricardo; and the winners of the night G59ers, from renewable energy organisation OST Energy.

Their prize money went to Renewable World, an organisation committed to bringing clean, safe energy to developing nations.

The five-piece band were last to perform, playing a set including Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin covers.

G59ers scored a total of 99 out of a possible 125 from the judges – nine points ahead of their nearest rivals Crunch Accounting.

Joining The Argus on the panel of judges were members of acclaimed Brighton band British Sea Power, former MTV presenter Mia Bird and Radio Reverb’s Ben Noble.

Jenna Holder of the victorious group said: “The amount of support we had was phenomenal – we are astounded to have won.”

John Parkinson, founder of When Bands Collide, added: “The event is about giving Brighton’s weekend rock stars a chance to step into the spotlight.

“We’ve raised £2000 for a range of excellent causes – not bad for a Thursday night.”