MORE than 10,000 music lovers have already swarmed into Darwen to watch a record number of performers in the town's annual Live festival.

And today fans were urged to support the Darwen Music Live event.

Over the past two days more than 60 acts have played at eight venues around town, such as the library theatre and Marigolds.

Today at least 30 performers are scheduled to appear.

The Blockheads will appear on the open air stage in the town centre at 9pm, with the three-day event expected to finish at around 1am.

The number of acts is the most the festival has ever had.

Organiser Gary Ward said the amount showed that the festival was building a good reputation.

He said: "There are people here from all over the country and yesterday I saw a few camper vans heading into Darwen.

"The word is definitely spreading.

"All the indications are that it has been pretty busy. We believe between eight and 10 thousand people were there on Sunday.

"The music has been great, the weather has held off and the atmosphere has been fantastic. It has really gone down well."

He said visitors had told him that highlights of the festival so far had been One String Loose at the library theatre and Elohymn at Marigolds.

About today's performances, Mr Ward added: "The message to people is come down.

"It starts at 1pm and all the stages are open so there will be something for everyone."

Insp Chris Saville said there had been no trouble reported connected to the festival.

Darwen Music Live is the first of three major council-backed festivals taking place in the borough this summer.

The annual mela takes place at Witton Park on July 15 and 16 and the following weekend sees the return of Arts In The Park.