'We were rehearsing in barns and sheds - but within six months had a record deal'

They started playing in barns in the Forest and within months had their own record deal

They've performed all over the world and had top ten singles and albums, but before EMF's global success, the band used to practise among hay bales and farm equipment in local barns.

Members of alternative rock group EMF have been reliving their rise from being five musicians in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, to number one in the US charts, in a new audio documentary.

In their early months, crowds of up to 300 people would cram into locals pubs to hear them play, and the musicians "kept getting bothered by guys" in London trying to sign them.

Guitarist and songwriter Ian Dench said: "We had a great sound and could play and suddenly there we were with a record deal within six months of starting the band."

Vocalist James Atkin said in the early days, they used to spend the weekend rehearsing in sheds and barns. Former drummer Mark Decloedt also had a pub where they would practise in a function room upstairs.

"We didn't have noise police, we didn't have health and safety. So a band could just rock up and play in a pub and if it only held 50 people and 300 turned up, that was not a problem," Mr Decloedt added.

Mr Dench said everybody was in a band when he was younger

And then things started to ramp up for EMF, which stands for Epsom Mad Funkers.

Mr Decloedt said: "I kept getting bothered by groups of guys from London saying 'whatever that labels offered you, we'll offer you double'... I was like 'are you joking'."

Mr Dench said at the time, the music scene was great because "everybody played in a band".

Getting a record contract six months after forming the band was "a dream come true," Mr Atkin said.

"I was still working at a shop in Gloucester and I just stopped going to work. I didn't even tell my employer."

Derry Brownson, the band's keyboardist, said when they went to America with a number one hit in the UK under their belts, they were number 176 over there and "in our world, 176 was nothing".

But during their six-week tour of the US, their single Unbelievable climbed up the charts and reached number one - a result they described as a shock.

A blue plaque recognising the bands achievements was unveiled in CInderford in March by Ian Dench and James Atkin

After years of being in the limelight, the band disbanded in 1997 before reuniting in 2001.

But one year later, they struggled when their bassist Zac Foley died aged 31.

"He was a my oldest, closest friend, a great musician, and looked great... I miss him every day," Mr Brownson said.

The band's fame has earned them a special place in the Forest of Dean - and globally - and Ian Dench, Derry Brownson and James Atkin continue to make music and perform today.

"It was utterly bonkers, but it's certainly been a ride," Mr Decloedt said.

They were awarded a blue plaque by Cinderford Town Council in March and headlined Cindyfest, in Cinderford, last month.

The Unbelievable Journey can be heard on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Sounds later today.