A Dereham-based rock band is ready to take on the world stage after being offered a deal by a European record label.

Shock ! Hazard secured the deal with Germany-based Dirty Earth Records after a gig competition at the Ipswich Railway Venue last Sunday.

Despite coming second, the band stood out from the 16 other entries and caught the eye of the label owner, known as Lord Bishop, who approached them with the offer.

Leader singer and guitarist, Jake Tinsley, 20, said: 'Releasing our next EP under the label will take a lot of stress out of the process as they will professionally record and promote it for us. Our first EP which we released two years ago was very basic and we didn't really know what we were doing.'

'It's very exciting for all of us. We haven't really shut up about it since we found out; we're constantly ringing each other about it and coming up with new ideas for the record', he added.

The band will be heading across the continent to the label's recording studios in Hungary to lay down their tracks. Jake, along with his bandmates Dex Tinsley, 18, and Dom Scarff, 16, both also from Dereham, will also get the chance to play live gigs in Hungary and Germany.

'We're hoping CD sales will help us break into Europe and the US, where Lord Bishop is from. We're not just pushing out into the UK with this release, but worldwide. We would love to be able to tour with the label's other bands as well as with other big bands,' said Jake.

'There's a lot going on in Europe and America and we want to explore that. It's all so new for us but very exciting.'

The band have gained quite a following in the local area, playing regular gigs at the Cherry Tree in Dereham and headlining this year's Reepham Festival as part of their UK summer tour.

But the deal has given the trio confidence to look to bigger things. 'We've always been active in sending out demos and promoting the band, but having a decent CD means we can look further to securing slots at bigger festivals and being reviewed by national magazines, like Kerrang', said Jake. 'I don't think we're going to be a small band any longer.'

Yet, the band are keeping their feet firmly on the ground. 'We've always dreamed of having the opportunity to do something like this, but if we're still playing in the Cherry Tree in 40 years' time, we'll still be happy,' added Jake.

Shock ! Hazard are playing a gig at The Standard in Dereham on October 4 to celebrate their deal.