ORGANISERS of this year’s Burnley International Rock and Blues Festival have hailed it as ‘the biggest ever’.

Steve Reid, from Doc Red Eye Promotions, brought acts to almost a dozen stages across the borough for the three-day event.

Crowds flocked to Burnley Mechanics Theatre to see headline act and British Blues Hall of Fame inductees The Hoax.

Camping for the festival was available for the first time at Belvedere and Calder Vale Sport Club, while fringe venues included the Pavilion Cafe in Queen’s Park and acoustic acts at The Kettledrum Inn, Cliviger.

Mr Reid said: “Saturday was an awesome night. "The Hoax were absolutely amazing. There were decent crowds everywhere and the shows I caught were just brilliant.

“For the first time we had the beer festival at Nino’s as well and everyone was mingling between it and the Kettledrum and it made for an execllent atmosphere.

“The whole place came to life and it was wonderful to see so many people with smiles on their faces.

“Last year we raised £1,000 for charity and we’re hoping to make a similar donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust this time.”

A show by pop rock band Lawson, scheduled to take place at UCLan’s Burnley campus, has been rearranged for June 7.