‘THE biggest event’ in Darwen’s calender is underway as music acts came together for a bank holiday extravaganza.

Free music festival Darwen Live started yesterday and is continuing today across the town.

More than a dozen venues are hosting live acts with the main stage situated in the market.

Yesterday thousands attended as the likes of Lucy Spraggan, who came to fame on X Factor in 2012, and 90s alternative rock band ‘Republica’, performed.

Today will include shows from the likes of punk rock icons Sham 69, famous for hits including ‘If the Kids are United’ and ‘Hersham Boys’.

The festival will then come to a close with a headline performance from 80’s pop superstars T’Pau, whose back catalogue includes ‘China in Your Hands’.

It is expected more than 10,000 people will attend the event.

Organiser Trevor Maxfield said: “We’ve been running it for quite a few years now so it runs pretty smoothly.

“It’s the biggest event we have in the town.

“Thousands and thousands of people have came down to it.

“There are some really great bands and live artists on show, I’m looking forward to seeing Sham 69 and T’Pau.

“It’s a great event and hopefully even more people will come down to it.”

Last year more than 30,000 people attended the festival over the two days.

Venues around the town hosting acts throughout the day include The Belgrave, Number 39, The Crown, The Alexandra and Darwen Library Theatre.