INTERMITTENT rain on Bank Holiday Monday failed to put a damper on the West Fest, West Malvern's answer to Notting Hill Carnival and Glastonbury Festival rolled into one.

The showers in the late morning died out as the afternoon went on, allowing people to enjoy 12 hours of music and fun on the village playing field.

Organiser Richard Pen-haligon said the event was a great success.

"It's too early to say exactly how many people came on the day, but it was between 3,500 and 4,000," he said.

"We think this year we reached a much wider audience than just West Malvern people."

There was a full day's programme of music, kicking off with young performers from the village primary school and concluding with the cajun rhythms of band Steaming Heads.

Local bands such as Velvet, Splatt, Strange Machine and Taxi also delighted the audience.

Festival-goers were also able to enjoy a wide range of refreshments on site and, for the more energetic, there was an orienteering fun run throught nearby woodlands.

Mr Penhaligon said the festival could not have happened without the services of volunteers and businesses which sponsored and supported the event.