THOUSANDS of music lovers turned out in force for one of the area’s biggest free festivals.

Brightlingsea’s Music Festival treated revellers to three days of live gigs at the Hurst Green stage.

It got underway with the Sweeting Swing Band and Motley Crew on Friday night and continued on Saturday with a host of excellent local bands, including Pet Needs, Rubber Jaw, FOX and headliners the Kubricks.

Taking to the stage on Sunday was Bright Voices, Loxley’s Corner, Twisty Turn, Adrian Nation, Leyline Pass and Doctor Zero & The Hotheads.

The festival was closed by Urban Voodoo Machine.

Organiser John Godfrey said: “We must have had 6,000 to 7,000 people over the weekend.

“We had a great lineup again with a brilliant range of music, including some great up-and-coming bands.

“The weather was on our side and people really embraced it.

“The festival is growing in stature ever year - we now have bands coming to us asking to play.

“It is all put on by volunteers and we have a great committee - the event just keeps on getting better.”

John said it is the 18th year the festival has been staged and this is the fourth he has been involved with.

He added: “For me the highlights were the headliners The Kubricks, a ska band that had everybody dancing, and FOX, who were back for the third time.”

“They previously supported Depeche Mode on tour - it’s unbelievable that we have got such great bands coming to Brightlingsea.”