A POP punk band are hoping they could become the next Green Day after moving a step closer to breaking into the limelight.

State of Millenia have been together for less than two years but are already making waves.

The five-piece were finalists at a nationwide battle of the bands contest in London called Rock The House.

Now they are hammering on the door of BBC Introducing, which can fast-track bands into the big time.

The band is made up of Clacton teenagers Reece Boulton and Danny Russel, both aged 18, Jordan Capon, 20, from Coggeshall, and Chelmsford's Taylor Finn, 18, and Jack Quartermain, 17.

The lads met while studying music at Colchester Institute and formed the band.

Reece's dad Mark said: "Since then they've been going from strength to strength.

"They were finalists at Rock The House and have been played on BBC Introducing. Now they've been invited to the live round so it's looking quite rosy for them.

"They're hoping to go all the way."

BBC Introducing has helped break artists such as Florence and the Machine and Izzy Bizu.

Mark said: "They write all their own songs. They are in the process of recording an EP and thought they would send one off to BBC Introducing.

"That can give them the next step up because BBC Introducing has stages at big festivals such as Leeds, Reading and even Glastonbury.

"A lot of big bands have come from there."

"They already gig all around Essex and hopefully after this we can get them into London."

The band hope to play big pop punk festivals such as Download and Slam Dunk.

Last summer they played at Clacton Beach Festival and hope to return this year.

Their new EP is called Freak Show and a music supplier also wants them to become the face of its drumstick range.

State of Millenia are on BBC Introducing on BBC Essex on February 18 from 8pm.