THE first day of the annual Darwen music festival got into full swing yesterday.

The free music festival kicked off at 1pm on the main stage and at Darwen Library Theatre.

This was shortly followed by the first performance in Knott Street Community Centre.

Yesterday saw The Bluetones, Goldblade and The Monkees artist Peter Tork on the main stage.

Peter Tork closed yesterday's show about 9pm.

Hundreds of music lovers crowded around the main stage in Darwen town centre, as well as the other two venues.

Darwen Brass Band kicked off the main stage around 1pm, followed by other acts.

Police said the ban on alcohol being brought into the premises was going well and there had been no arrests The festival is in its ninth year and ends today with the bands Men They Couldn't Hang and Boomin.