THOUSANDS of music fans flocked to Upton at the weekend to experience the blues.

The annual Blues Festival saw more than 50 bands play in 11 different venues across town.

Committee member Richard Tippin said it was impossible to estimate the actual number of visitors. However, based on other festivals and previous years, it was thought about 20,000 people attended.

"You couldn't actually move in town on Saturday night," he said.

For him, the highlight was Sunday's gospel service under Upton Bridge, which was attended by around 800 people.

The IDMC Gospel Choir from Croydon performed at the service, where a collection raised £400 for an Upton CE Primary School project.

Musicians performing over the weekend included rhythm and blues maestro Mike Sanchez, jazz and swing band King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys and the 1940s and 1950s- inspired The Cadillac Kings.

After being awarded an Arts Council grant for this year's festival, the committee is hoping to obtain another grant for next year's event, which will run from July 20-22.