THE Electric Palace in Brid-port is one of three finalists in the Rock the House competition after being nominated by Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan.

Electric Palace director Gabby Rabbitts and acting manager Jess Grimshaw will be going to the awards ceremony in the House of Commons today when they will find out if they’ve won or not.

Gabby said: “We were truly delighted with the nomination for the prestigious industry award of Best Small Live Music Venue.

“To now be one of only three UK finalists, has left us speechless. We are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive and very excited about the award ceremony at the House of Commons today.

“We are enormously grateful to Ian for nominating The Electric Palace and for his words of support and encouragement.”

They are also hoping to catch a glimpse of rock legend and competition patron Alice Cooper enjoying a drink with David Cameron.

Ian Gillan, who lives in Lyme Regis, paid tribute to the restored cinema venue and sent his best wishes for their success.

He said: “I am delighted that The Electric Palace has been selected as a finalist in the Rock The House Competition.

“The venue has gained a wonderful reputation and its contribution to music is much appreciated by performers and audiences alike.

“May I wish you all the very best and hope you go on to win it.”

Rock the House is a Parliamentary live music and venue competition founded by MP Mike Weatherley.

Ian Gillan is a patron, along with Alice Cooper and Mark Hoppus from the punk bank Blink 182.

The competition is designed to celebrate the very best of up-and-coming unsigned British artists and the live music venues that support them.

The aim of the competition is to raise the political profile of the importance of intellectual property rights, and live music.

The Palace is a Grade II-listed art deco building completed in 1926.

It was closed for many years and there were fears the building would be too expensive to renovate but after years of struggle Peter Hitchin managed to re-open the venue.

The Palace became a full-time live venue in 2008 and has hosted some of the top names in British comedy, ‘live’ opera performances, big bands and names from The Kills, to Gruff Rhys and American hip hop musician and DJ Grandmaster Flash and was home to PJ Harvey and her band for a month long pre-tour rehearsal.

The Palace also hosts the annual film festival From Page To Screen.

Patrons are Sir Richard Eyre, PJ Harvey, Mike Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Lynn Reid Banks, Andrew Carnegie Dickson, Ralph Steadman, Sir John Colfox and Julian Fellowes.