ONE of the biggest events in Darwen’s calendar drew to a close yesterday as music acts came together for a bank holiday extravaganza.

The free Darwen Live music festival started on Sunday with thousands of people gathering on Darwen’s new market square to watch acts on the main stage.

The festival was kicked off in style with performances from Darwen Brass Band, The Northern Soul Train, Leah Haworth and rock-band Sleeper.

There were several venues across the town performing, including acts at Darwen Library Theatre, the Black Horse pub, The Alexandra and house music being performed at the Cin Cin bar.

Other venues included The Crown pub, Number 39 Brewery Tap, The Taps bar, The Vault, the Airden Inn and Deli Carlo and Sunbird Records.

Music fans Jake Leicester, and his partner Dani McCarthy, both from Darwen, said they enjoyed the festival.

Mr Leicester said: "We went on Saturday night and it was out of this world.

"We decided to come back on Sunday to see what was on offer.

"To think all of this is free and the music you're getting for that is immense.

"I hope it comes back again and again.

"It's one of the best things in Darwen."

The Darwen Live event was kickstarted with the Darwen Maker's Market on Saturday, also on the market square.

There was something for everyone including rock, indie, hip-hop, 90s dance, electric, mod, soul and West End tunes.

Yesterday mod-band The Lambrettas, Gemma Louise Doyle and north east Ska group Skapones wowed the crowds on the main stage.

There were also 80s classics performed by Electrik dreams and folk-rock due Sound of the Sirens with Toyah drawing the two-day event to a close.

Vicky Rothwell, along with Darren James, organised the event.

Ms Rothwell said: "It has been absolutely sensational this year, really fantastic.

"Both days have been incredible and have been very popular.

"We're into the 19th year of Darwen Live and it has been growing and growing.

"We are now getting people asking to perform which is brilliant.

"Darwen Live is the chance for musicians to get on stage to enjoy what they're doing and to put themselves out there and get noticed."

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Mr James added: "It's been amazing.

"We predicted to get another 10,000 people coming and going on Sunday too."