Record stores in Norwich are bracing themselves for early morning queues on Saturday for their biggest celebration of the year – Record Store Day 2013.

Record stores in Norwich are bracing themselves for early morning queues on Saturday for their biggest celebration of the year – Record Store Day 2013.

They will join more than 200 record stores around the UK in raising awareness of independent record shops by encouraging people to use them.Paul Mills, owner of Soundclash in Norwich, said: 'Soundclash has been participating in Record Store Day since it first began in the UK. There are always great titles for music fans and record collectors, and this year there really is something for everyone.'

Last year, Soundclash had queues forming outside the store from 3.15am and Mr Mills expects an even greater response this year.'It's great that there is more interest in records again,' he added. 'Many of my customers prefer the sound quality of vinyl over CD, and this year we are seeing more young people in, who are realising what they have been missing and have started building up their record collections alongside their downloaded music collections.'

Tom Harvey, bass player for Norwich band Hello Bear, said: 'Record stores have got quite a significance because they help keep their community going. While it is very easy to go get all your music online these days, it is far better for people to go into their local record shops and have a browse.

'To be perfectly honest most of my music now is digital, just because it takes up less space. But there are always records you have to keep for sentimental reasons.'My favourite is The Who Live in Leeds, which is a wonderful one to have with its artwork and inlay. I've also got quite a lot of my parents old records which have been passed down.'Dudley Garner, manager of All Sorted Records in Norwich, said: 'Record stores are absolutely vital, because they are the life blood for breaking bands.

Companies like HMV would rarely stock our material, but local record shops will not only sell our stuff but keep the back catalogues as well.

'A lot of them will work closely with record labels and up and coming bands, and will stock demos that they give away for free next to the till. 'Vinyl records are also really important for the consumers, because they are something people want to pick up and keep.'

These are the stores participating in Record Store Day:

Soundclash Records, 28 St Benedicts Street, 01603 761004.

Prelude Records, 25b St Giles Street, 01603 628319.