HUNDREDS of people packed out Poole’s picturesque Compton Acres over the weekend to enjoy an arts and music festival as an alternative to Bournemouth’s air show.

The gardens provided a floral backdrop for a variety of local painters, sculptors, singers, dancers and musicians.

Among these were the Land Girls, who gave those gathered a beautifully nostalgic trip down memory lane with songs from the 1940s.

On Sunday, Compton Acres PR director Gerry Clarke told the Daily Echo: “We’ve had several hundred people visit over the weekend and right now the piazza is full of people dining and listening to jazz music.

“The Land Girls started off the programme and we’ve had lots of people waving Union Jacks and singing old songs.”

Sunday’s music programme also included the Dorset Community Choir, The Wimborne Voices Ladies Choir, Felicity Goodman and her string trio, and Gemini Jazz.

Earlier, on Saturday, the Japanese Garden had been adorned with a number of sculptures from artists working with Purbeck stone.

There were also exhibitions of oil paintings, watercolours and ongoing demonstrations by artists in residence.

“It was a great alternative to the air show weekend’s entertainment for all the family,” said an event spokesman. “There was a variety of activities designed to encourage people of all ages to appreciate music and art in a beautiful garden setting.”

The gardens opened each day, with the musical performances taking place from 11am on the Sunday and it was such a success that similar events are likely to be held in the future.

Visit comptonacres.co.uk for more information about future events.