Rob GarrattA Norwich band are enjoying a burst of exposure after being singled out in a worldwide talent search backed by a major household name.Five-piece rock group Red Leaf have recruited new fans from across the globe after finishing top of an online download race.Further listening: Red LeafRob Garratt

A Norwich band are enjoying a burst of exposure after being singled out in a worldwide talent search backed by a major household name.

Five-piece rock group Red Leaf have recruited new fans from across the globe after finishing top of an online download race.

The band is now expecting to see its profile rise thanks to an online push that will see the band publicised to 300,000 new potential fans.

The group, who hail from Norwich and Wymondham, were one of 50 bands from across the world to have their music feature in a weeklong download battle hosted by Windows 7 at music website Reverb Nation.

Of the 50 bands, the seven who secured the most downloads were offered the chance of becoming featured acts - and as the poll closed Red Leaf were top of the charts, and the only one of the top seven to hail from the UK.

As a featured act their music will be forwarded to 300,000 music fans via online tools Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, and the band walk away with more than $500 in prize money.

The tune that enjoyed the new exposure is called December Nights.

Lead singer and keyboardist James Barr, 32, of The Lizard, Wymondham, said: 'We just did it to get the music out to more people. It's worked out really well and we've probably got hundreds of new fans just from this week alone.

The group, who describe their style as 'alternative indie rock', is made up of guitarists and vocalists Marty Dew and Josh Wheeler, drummer and vocalist Dave Langston and bassist Tom Field. The band's next gig is at Norwich's Blueberry on January 15.

Further listening: Red Leaf