Ilkley and Menston band The Kaiser Chiefs cleaned up at this week's Brit Awards, taking home a hat-trick of honours.

The band were the event's big winners as they picked up more awards then any other artist.

They won Brits for Best British Group, Best British Rock Act and Best British Live Act at the ceremony at London's Earls Court.

Three of the band members, Simon Rix (bass), Peanut (keyboards) and Nick Hodgson (drums) met in the same class at St Mary's Catholic School in Menston, while singer Ricky Wilson is from Ilkley.

The band opened proceedings with a spectacular rendition of their hit single I Predict a Riot, performing on a red carpet.

Picking up the Best Rock Act trophy, the band appeared visibly humbled by the experience, with front man Ricky telling the crowd of celebrities and well wishers: "This is our first Brits, we were not meant to win this one.

"This means the world."

The awards cap a sensational 12 months for the five-piece band who were nominated in several categories at the prestigious music awards including Best Album and Best British Breakthrough Act.

Earlier this week bassist Simon Rix, said the band were most keen to pick up the best Live Act award, as they fiercely prided themselves on their live show.

After starring on last year's NME tour the band went on to have three top-ten hits with Everyday I Love You Less and Less, I Predict a Riot and Oh My God.

Their debut album Employment, released in March, has sold more than 1.6 million copes worldwide.

The band made history in July when they opened the Philadelphia leg of the anti-poverty Live 8 concert, the only British band to play at the American event.

They played more than 200 gigs last year, including well received shows at the Glastonbury and V2005 music festivals.

After the celebrations the band said they would be settling down to work preparing material for their second album, due out later this year.

Former Bradfordians to pick up trophies at the awards include solo artist Tasmin Archer and last year's big winners Franz Ferdinand, whose bassist Bob Hardy is from Wyke.

Winners of this year's Brit Awards:

Best British Male - James Blunt Best British Female - KT Tunstall Best British Group - Kaiser Chiefs Best British Album - Coldplay (X&Y) Best British Single - Coldplay Best British Rock Act - Kaiser Chiefs Best British Live Act - Kaiser Chiefs Best Pop Act - James Blunt Best International Male - Kanye West Best International Female - Madonna Best International Group - Green Day Best International Album - Green Day (American Idiot) Outstanding Contribution to Music - Paul Weller