A band have returned home after fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing at one of the country's biggest festivals.

Folk-punk band Ducking Punches, who live in Norwich, performed on the BBC Introducing stage at this past weekend's Leeds Festival.

It was the first time the bands have appeared at the festival, and they surrounded by well renown acts in the music industry such as Metallica, Ash and Iggy Azalea.

The band performed a half-an-hour set in front of hundreds of people on Sunday afternoon.

Dan Allen, 27, who is a vocalist and guitarist, said: 'It has been a dream for all of us to perform at the Reading and Leeds festival and we were ecstatic when we got the email inviting us to perform at Leeds.

'We all felt so genuinely humbled by the entire weekend and it was fantastic to perform on the BBC introducing stage.

'Also to be there and get to see acts like Ash, who I am a massive fan of, was fantastic.

'We just want to thank everybody that came along to watch us, sang along and made it a great experience.'

Mr Allen started Ducking Punches originally as a solo outlet after the break-up of his previous band while living in Peterbrough.

He then moved to Norwich where he would meet his four band mates including the brother of former Norwich south MP Simon Wright.

Mr Wright's brother, Pete, joined the band along with Sergio Tauroza, Cal Hudson and Sophie Porter in 2013.

The band has since played hundreds of shows including festivals, and shows abroad in places such as Prague and for up to 40,000 fans in Mannheim, Germany, where they have a big following.

This year they also supported popular folk singer Frank Turner on tour, and are due to jet off to the US to play various shows between October and November.

Their third full length album is due for release in the upcoming months.

Allen said: 'We have had some fantastic experiences as a band this year.

'And now with the chance to go play some shows over in America and with the up-coming release of our next album, things are about to get even more exciting for us.

'During the promotion of our album we will be looking to come home to Norwich and play a show but no date is set in stone yet.'

Do you have any Norwich music news? Email kieran.lynch@archant.co.uk