A PUNK band will be under close scrutiny tonight when it performs before borough council officers.

Members of Dirtblonde claim the authority has 'banned' them from playing at a public event in Neston because their music is deemed 'inappropriate'.

But council officials are adamant the musicians have not been barred from the Discover Stanney Fields Park Festival on Saturday, July 17.

Borough corporate support officer Peter Campbell says he has been liaising with Dirtblonde about possible suitable live music they could play.

And to assess their act properly, he will watch them perform at Barfly Liverpool tonight.

Last week the Pioneer revealed Dirt-blonde's official website promises audiences 'screams, dirty knickers and cheap alcohol.'

However, singer and bassist Lula Blue, from Ness, and guitarist Ivan Hell, say they are willing to change their act to suit children and families.

The final decision on their inclusion in the show, or not, is yet to be taken by the council.

Mr Campbell said: 'While we are keen to promote new bands and stage exciting new music, we do have a duty to make sure the music at this festival is suitable for a family audience.

'Stanney Fields is a small park surrounded by houses, so we must also make sure noise levels are not too loud for nearby residents.

'We have not banned Dirtblonde. We simply want to see them play and have a further meeting with them to assess whether their music will be suitable for the festival's family audience.'

He said music acts were just one element of the festival.

There will also be activities, entertainment, stalls, breakdancing and a bike, blades and boards competition in the wheels park.

Mr Campbell said: 'Our aim is to organise a community event to celebrate the completion of the £250,000 of improvement work carried out at the park.'