THOUSANDS of spectators lapped up the sun and the music last weekend at the first ever Lyme Regis Folk festival.

One hundred and three events were put on in 13 venues as organisers brought a taste of folk music to the town, with organisers hoping it will become an annual event.

The festival of folk kicked off just before midday on Friday with a local morris dancing group performing the opening ceremony.

Crowds were entertained by numerous pop up shows and performances along the sea front and in the Aroma Cafe, with scheduled acts performing at the four main venues throughout the day and night, with Turin Brakes headlining Friday night at the Marine Theatre.

Twelve venues hosted live folk music throughout Saturday with spectators given the chance to join in the fun with group sing-a-longs and play-a-longs.

The festival saw both local and national bands playing, with the Albion band headlining the Saturday night at Marine Theatre, plus a free fire show outside.

Stompin Dave Allen kicked the final day into action before 45 shows took place throughout the day plus more workshops, with the festival coming to an end with a fire show.

The festival’s publicist, Julie Sheppard, said the whole weekend had exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Mrs Sheppard said: “We were helped enormously by the weather and the whole festival was absolutely fantastic."