THERE was a party atmosphere at the Swanage Blues Festival at the weekend.

Thousands of blues enthusiasts from around the world travelled to sunny Purbeck for the event, which included 30 bands playing 15 indoor venues – several new to the festival – across four days.

Bands included Back Porch, John McClean & The Clan, the Kevin Brown Trio, Lewis Cohen and the Fabulous Fezheads, and gigs took place in the Black Swan, the Legion, the Ship Inn and the Anchor.

Organiser Steve Darrington said: “It has been a massively successful event this year. It was particularly busy and we added extra large venues to accommodate all the extra people who came.

“The weather was a bonus. The whole event is like a great big party with all the businesses and restaurants getting involved. There is a great atmosphere in the town.

“Everything has come off brilliantly and we are all looking forward to the big one – our 25th blues festival in March next year.”

The festival, which currently takes place twice a year, is free to enter, however spectators are encouraged to pay £10 for a wristband to contribute to costs.

Other venues used during the festival included the Grand Hotel, the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, the Sea Breeze Restaurant and YHA Swanage, while the bands performing during the four days included Backwater Roll Blues Band, the Dan Sowerby Band, Hugh Budden and the Blue Chords and the Mustangs.

A large variety of buskers played at Swanage Railway Station and other venues around the town from 11am across the weekend. Visit swanage-blues.org or Swanage Blues Festival on Facebook for more.