BROMYARD Folk Festival, one of the longest running and best regarded events in the folk calendar, once again attracted music fans by the thousands.

And organiser say that the event has been acclaimed as the best one yet.

Concerts took place at the festival site in Broadbridge, plus venues across the town including the Falcon Hotel and Bromyard Town Football Club.

One of the highlights, as usual, were the morris dancers, who delighted visitors with their colourful, vibrant art form.

This year’s festival, the 52nd, was headlined by Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening.

Other performers include Flook, The Daoirí Farrell Trio, Rosier, Granny’s Attic, Edgelarks, The Tweed Project, The Relentless Ceilidh Band and the Melrose Quartet.

The rest of the weekend of the folk festival was packed with music, singing, dancing, workshops, stories, crafts, food and drink.

The event was sponsored by Wye Valley Brewery, which is based a few miles away at Stoke Lacy.

Organiser Lynne Barker said: "It all went absolutely brilliantly.

"We had one of the best ever line ups we've ever had, and the crowds have been tremendous. I think we must have hand about 3,500 over the weekend.

"The torchlight procession on the Friday evening was well attended and so was the Morris Dancers parade.

"The High Sherriff of Herefordshire, James Harvey-Bathurst, the mayor and mayoress of Bromyard and the mayor of Hereford were all at the opening, which shows how important the event has become now.

"The acts put on some brilliant performances, and I particularly enjoyed the Tweed Project and the Melrose Quartet.

"The performance by the Youth Camp Ceilidh Band was also tremendous.

"It's very good to see young people enjoying playing folk music, because we need the next generation to carry the music into the future.

"One couple told me it was the best festival they'd been to this year."

She said that the festival would be impossible without its team of dedicated volunteers.

"We have about 200 volunteers and they are the ones who really make it happen. I can't speak too highly of them or thank them enough for all they do to make the event possible."