THE Met has been named one of the top 100 music venues in the country by the Performing Rights Society.

The Bury venue was number 77 in the poll.

It was rated higher than the famous London venues the Roundhouse, Astoria and O2 Academy Brixton, which were numbers 83, 91 and 92 respectively.

It also came higher than Manchester rival the Apollo, which only just squeezed into the list at number 99.

David Agnew, director of The Met, said: “We’re delighted that our audiences have responded so well and come to the events, and it is really heartening to see that we were placed higher than much bigger venues.

“It is very much down to the dedication and passion of the staff and our belief in what we put on.”

The list was topped by London’s Southbank centre, with the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester at number five.

The new season at the Met started at the beginning of this month, and folk singer Eliza Carthy will take to the stage tonight.

Other highlights of the new season include the Lancashire Hotpots on October 9 and Arthur Smith on October 21.

For more information about what’s on, visit themet.biz or ring 0161 761 2216.