MORE than 300 music lovers attended the annual summer Alcester Folk Festival held over the weekend.

The three-day event was held for the first time at the Holly-Bush pub in Henley Street with separate concerts at the Town Hall and Alcester Unionist Club.

Singers from all over the country came to the picturesque market town to perform and entertainment ran from 7.30pm on Friday and on Saturday and Sunday it started from about 9.30am.

During the popular event, Nigel Smith, the new landlord at the Holly Bush, invited a group of Morris dancers from Evesham to come along and dance in High Street.

Organiser Marje Stanley said: “We have had a wonderful weekend. The musicians seemed to be enjoying it and the people in the actual festival all said they enjoyed it.

“The artists enjoyed singing in the Holly Bush. The weather was good, the sun shined, and people were able to sit in the garden.

“A real party atmosphere.”

Ms Stanley said that the event’s new main venue was a success as it had provided good food and facilities.

“It was great, I couldn’t fault it really,” she added.

Plans are now underway to expand the festival by holding music sessions at the Three Tons in High Street next year.

On Sunday, the monthly artisan market was held in the town allowing visitors and artists to enjoy something a little different.

The next Folk Festival will be its winter edition held at the Holly Bush in February 2016.