TWENTY thousand people packed into Colne as the British Rhythm and Blues Festival returned.

Such was the success of the annual event, now in its 29th year, that all the cash machines ran out of money as local businesses benefited from an influx of music lovers from all over the world.

Describing the event as having established itself as the ‘premier contemporary blue music festival’ for those wanting to see the best in British blues and up coming artists, organisers’ spirits were not dampened by the drizzle on Sunday.

Artistic director Jason Elliott, who praised the town council and Paddy Maguire, said: “It has been absolutely brilliant. We learned so much from the lessons of last year. I said to Cllr Joe Cooney, Cllr Paul Foxley and Colin Hill, the town council’s chief executive officer, that last year would be a transition year and there would be things we would change.

"We have done that and that has made this year’s event more of a success. We have simplified the pricing structure. That has helped a lot of people.”

Over 130 different bands and artists performed on 15 official stages around the town.

Organisers Colne Town Council also lined up official festival buskers and street entertainers to keep the crowds entertained plus a pop-up DJ booth outside the town hall featuring some of the UK’s leading blues DJs and radio show presenters including Gary Grainger and Jennifer Noble.

The Muni hosted the international stage which featured artists such as multiple British Blues Award winners King King, Laurence Jones, Elles Bailey and Simon McBride.

Burnley-born blues artist Luzy Zirins was curator for the acoustic showcase at Colne Little Theatre.

At the Pendle Hippodrome, artists performing included My Baby, Mike Vernon and the Mighty Combo and Kyla Brox and new for this year, the Mini Muni hosted the alternative stage featuring the best in a new breed of blues music.

Official Roadhouse venues around the town hosted both local talent and blues bands from around the country and Colne Rigby Club became the festival’s official campsite.

Thanking the organisers and volunteers, Cllr Cooney added: “It has been fantastic. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who volunteered at the event, said local businesses benefitted from the number of people it brought in.

Looking towards next year when the festival will turn 30, Mr Elliott added: “A moment like the 30th anniversary is not going to be an ordinary year”