Four-piece The Brink has now set its sights on performing in front of the Royal family, as it is one of just 169 others to get through to the second leg of ITV1's Britain's Got Talent, which showcases the UK's most weird and wonderful performers.

The band members, who describe their sounds as a mix of Aerosmith and Bon Jovi with a twist, wowed the judges with a performance of their latest song Can I find You, which they wrote themselves.

Singer Matt Strafford (20), from Ramsey, guitarist Alex Bittles (20), from Wisbech, base guitarist Garry Connor (21), from Wisbech and drummer John Ferrel (27), from Cambridge, met through college and applied for the contest in January last year.

Having auditioned for X-Factor once before as a laugh, Mr Strafford knew how hard it was to actually get through.

He said: "When you watch it on television, it looks like the judges see every single act but, in fact, they only see about 16 a day so we never thought we would get that far."

In the first stage, the group auditioned in front of producers and the four friends described the moment they got through to the second stage as the best day of their lives.

Mr Strafford said: "We were really happy and excited and it meant even if we didn't get through to the next stage, we would at least get some advice about our song from the judges.

"After being in the band for just a year, it was a big achievement for us."

At the second stage in Manchester, the group was interviewed by show hosts Ant and Dec before performing live for the judges.

Matt said: "It was pretty nerve-wracking because we knew this was our only chance and one we had been waiting for all our lives.

"We gave what we believed was our best performance ever, and then got three yes's."

The band members were also pleased with the judges' comments.

Piers Morgan said he loved the song, Amanda Holden said Mr Strafford had a unique voice and Simon Cowell said they had a great image.

Now the band members have an anxious five or six week wait before they find out if they are through to the live finals.

Mr Strafford, who works as a music teacher, added: "Ever since we have been kids, music has been a massive part of all of our lives.

"We dedicate every single spare moment we have to working on the band and our long-term aim is to be up their with the best bands in the world."

The band, which is currently looking for a keyboard player to join its ranks, has many gigs planned, including a performance at Party in the Park in Wellingborough, in July, and at Peterborough's Firework Fiesta in November.

For more information about The Brink, and to listen to some of the band's songs, visit www.myspace.com/thebrinkband