Glass Animals announced as BBC Introducing in Oxford's Band of the Year

Glass Animals have been announced as BBC Introducing in Oxford's Band of the Year.

The Oxford four-piece broke through in 2014 with their debut album Zaba, and went on to tour Europe and the US, as well as playing a packed out tent on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury.

Their popularity at the festival was no mean feat, as it saw the band play at the same time as Dolly Parton's record-breaking set on the Pyramid Stage.

They were also signed to Paul Epworth's record label, the producer behind the success of artists such as Adele and Florence & The Machine.

Frontman Dave Bayley described receiving the Band of the Year award, whose previous recipients have included Stornoway and Fixers, as "pretty crazy".

He added: "It's all happened very quickly for us and it's an honour.

"We love Oxford, we all live in Oxford obviously. There are good bands here."

Bayley promised that 2015 would be a "fun" and "exceptionally busy" year for the band, who have been racking up numerous plays on BBC Radio 1.

"We're keeping our heads down, working hard," he said.

"There's a lot of touring to come. We're playing in Oxford in March.

"We're starting our European tour there which is great, we don't play Oxford enough."

Glass Animals play the Oxford O2 Academy on 3 March and the Shepherds Bush Empire on 10 March.

For a full list of dates click here.

Dave Bayley promised a 'fun' and 'exceptionally busy' 2015 for the band