ON one of the hottest weekends of the year some 5,000 visitors flocked to a sun soaked Calnefest this Saturday (June 4).

Festival goers revelled in the heat as they watched 40 different acts across four stages at the Recreation Ground, with music starting at midday and coming to a grand finale at 10.30pm.

With the festival billed as the event's best ever spectator numbers were certainly up at the sixth annual Calnefest, which experienced some of the year’s hottest temperatures.

Organiser Glenis Ansell said: “This year’s event was the best ever and they get better and better every time. It went off without a hitch and there were thousands of people there enjoying the sun and the great acts that we had.

“The headliners Republica were great and have been amazing for us and said that they would be more than happy to come and do it again next year.

“We had a whole range of different acts that performed. Our comedy tent was really popular and we decided to put a cocktail bar in there which we will be doing again next year.”

The festival included a large range of acts including local comedian Will Hodgson, who was supporting Ronnie Golden and garage band Artful Dodger in the dance tent.

Many local acts were also on show at the festival with John Bentley School girl band Base Line making their debut in the acoustic tent.

“The weather was perfect and could not have been better matching the incredible entertainment that was on offer,” added Mrs Ansell.

“I want to say a huge thanks for everyone who has been supporting us and who gave us a helping hand setting it up.

“Really the community support has been amazing and actually it is a community festival, for the community and helping the community.”

Graham O'Gara, 36, of King Edward Close, who attended the festival, said: "It was an excellent festival and certainly the best one that they have ever had. There were some great acts.

"The festival gets bigger and better every year with bigger bands each time. Republica were really good as was a guy called Ross Ingram and I remember a Ska band that was particularly good as well.

"I have been to all of the festivals apart from the first one and this one was really well organised. It is a great chance to meet people that you do not normally meet."