MUSIC lovers from across the county filled the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon for the Bradford Roots Festival.

Celebrating its fifth birthday, the festival took over the centre in Ashley Road over the weekend, hosting 50 performers across four stages, performing anything from blues to rock to jazz.

Clare Jack, executive director of the festival, said: “It is fantastic to have been going for five years. I would say that this year’s was the best yet. We have had more musicians this year, about 50, and half of them are new to playing the festival.

"Lisa Samuel, our programme manager, has chosen a lot of new acts and some that have played before, it always amazes me. I think the number of acts and the variety has been great for the past five years.”

To mark the special occasion, Box Steam Brewery and Hartley’s Farm Shop and Kitchen were also on hand to provide the audiences with locally brewed drinks and food.

Camilla Johns, 30, of the festival team, said: “It feels like a community event with a lot of emphasis on the local aspect. The quality of the music and the atmosphere is always very good and there is always lots of variety for anyone who comes along.”

Alongside the special performances from a lot of home-grown bands and singer/songwriters, revellers were also given the opportunity to take part in workshops.

Marius Frank led a blues singing workshop as well as also being on the bill to perform later on the Saturday. The Wild and Woolley classroom at the back of the centre hosted the workshop where Mr Frank taught the participants the history of blues, including the structure, the methods of singing and the evolution of the genre.

Mr Frank said: “I have been a professional musician for most of my life, I think running workshops like these are wonderful because it gives everyone the chance to get involved. My wife Cindy Stratton and I also play the festival together, it is just a great atmosphere.”