Young female singers and musicians from around the county have launched a three-CD compilation of their music.

The women are all part of the Young Women's Band Project (YWBP) run by the Ark-T Centre in Cowley.

The Spark 3 CD, launched at Oxford's Carling Academy, features music recorded during workshops and group sessions over the last year.

It is the third annual compilation produced by the YWBP.

Project leader Kate Garrett said: "The project began in 2003 and offers monthly music workshops and opportunities for performing and recording. The group empowers young women and helps them explore their talents.

"Female guest leaders from the music industry, sound engineering, session work and live work come to talk about their careers in music."

In 2006 the group produced a documentary film Young Women Rock, which was shown as part of an Arts Council and Channel 5 event in Oxford.

Their activities this year are being supported by the singer KT Tunstall, who signed merchandise.

The Carling Academy launch of Spark 3 included performances from local young female solo artists and bands, with special guests The Mentalists.

Zahra Tehrani, 20, a trainee with the YWBP and drummer with a local band, performed at the launch.

She said: "The CD is a compilation of some amazing music by female singers, songwriters and bands. It was put together with a combination of live sessions, submitted tracks and also group sessions, where bands recorded songs together. Launching it at the Carling Academy was fantastic - it was a brilliant night."

For more information on YWBP and details of how to get hold of Spark 3 visit www.ark-t.org