IT was carnival time in Colne as the town throbbed to the beat of the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival.

Tens of thousands packed the streets, pubs, hotels and music venues as the 10th annual festival underlined the town's pole position at the forefront of British blues.

It was an extravaganza of music, street entertainment and a massive pub-to-pub drinks run through the main street.

Colne's four-day event has won international acclaim and once again it was bigger and better than ever, attracting musicians and visitors from three continents, pulling in punters from near and far.

Council organiser Gary Hood reckons this year's turn out has easily exceeded last year's record 60,000.

"It has built up a massive momentum and you have to ask whether the town is big enough for it to expand any more?"

Mr Hood, who piloted Burnley's blues festival to national prominence before coming to Pendle, said all the main stage events have been sell-outs and the fringe shows packed.

"The street carnival has given Colne the look of a holiday town.

"There have been people from France turning up without accommodation and people from Italy without tickets - but they still managed to stay with us."

The festival, he said, had given a massive boost to the area's tourist trade and had gained a national reputation as the "friendly festival".

The police, he added, had done a terrific job with their friendly and low-profile way of dealing with any problems.

The music, he said, was king. "We have had tremendous performances throughout the festival," he added.

"We're all very tired, but very happy with the way things have gone."

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