They beat more than 3,000 applicants to reach the semi-finals of Music Means Life.

The competition is being held to raise money to rebuild the teenage cancer unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Artists were invited to upload a song via on to the competition's website last month, and judging has been taking place since.

Michael Balfour, 16, who was treated at the unit for a rare form of nasal cancer in 2006, was one of those on the judging panel.

The A-level student, of Mitford Road, South Shields, is now in remission.

A fan of indie and alternative music, he said: "It's been shocking, to be honest.

"I didn't expect there to be so many good musicians in the region."

Joe McElderry, 16, of Coleridge Avenue, South Shields, chose to enter a cover version of Home, by Michael Bublé.

"I thought it was fitting because teenagers who are being treated in hospital for cancer are going to want to go home," said the A-level student.

Martin Trollope and Daniel Clifford, both 21 and from South Shields, and Lee Morrison, 18, from Sunderland, make up Squares.

They have been together for two years and entered their own song, The Lilac Times. They describe their music as indie pop.

Daniel said: "We have tried to help charities before with our gigs, and this is a really good cause."

Djanglearbra are a pop rock act formed at Hull University as part of a creative music technology degree. They stuck together and now play gigs across the region.

Ryan Gibson, 20, and Darrin Newbrook, 21, are from South Shields, Joakim Kristiansen and Matt Robson are both 21 and from Sunderland, and Fiona Parker, 20, is from Hull, but they all live in Scarborough.

They entered the self-penned track Appear Wise Beyond Your Years.

Fiona said: "It is all for a good cause. Cancer is a massive deal, especially for someone younger than us. It must be horrific for their families."

Singer-songwirter Kneale Brown, 20, from South Shields, who has been likened to Damien Rice, also made it through to the semi-finals.

Supporters of Music Means Life, including actor Tim Healy, Big Brother's Liam McGough and Journey South's Andy Pemberton were at St James's Park in Newcastle for the unveiling of the successful acts on Tuesday.

The semi-finals take place at Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton on Thursdays, April 10 and 17.

They will be presented by Chloe Madeley, daughter of TV duo Richard and Judy, and Mark Thorburn, of Metro Radio.

Prizes include supporting major artists like The Who's Roger Daltrey at Bandstand, a Teenage Cancer Trust concert at Newcastle City Hall in September, performing at a Princes Trust concert in front of 7,000 people at Alnwick Gardens in August, a management deal, a week in a studio, new equipment and radio airplay.