MUSIC fans enjoyed the biggest and best Glaston-Bury festival yet on Bank Holiday Monday, as more than 100 bands entertained crowds in the town centre.

The event, which is now in its eighth year, was held in eleven venues across the town, showcasing a huge variety of acts raising money in aid of Bury Hospice.

Glaston-Bury has raised more than £75,000 for the hospice since it was first held in 2008, and this year visitors were also able to pre-order the "Christmas for Everyone" single, recorded by a number of musicians linked to the annual extravaganza and appear in the track's music video.

Rik Brundrit, who organised the event alongside Chris Buckley, said: "It was an absolutely fantastic vibe all day long. There were lots of people about and loads of great music, so everybody enjoyed themselves.

"The outdoor stage inparticular was exceptional, and nobody was put off by the little bit of rain that we had.

"This year's line-up was brilliant and the atmosphere around the town was great all day long.

"We aren't sure how much money was raised yet, but there were plenty of people around so hopefully it will be a good total."

He added: "This is our eighth year and we have put so much time and effort into making Glaston-Bury as good as it possibly can be. I think we have done ourselves proud again this year.

"Each year we say that it will be bigger and better and once again we have lived up to that. We are all very tired but really chuffed with how it went."

Michelle King, community and events fundraiser at Bury Hospice, said: "Glaston-Bury began with three simple aims; to put on a good music event, showcase some local talent, and raise money for a worthy cause.

"Those particular boxes were ticked long ago and eight years and over £75,000 raised for Bury Hospice later, this annual event has become firmly entrenched in the minds of the music-loving public and on the hospice community fundraising calendar.

"As well as raising this huge amount of money, Glaston-Bury has done something it did not consciously set out to do, something that has always been one of our main objectives, and that is to create a massive amount of awareness for the hospice in the minds of the young. And they have done it through the medium that speaks the loudest - the music.

"We cannot thank Chris Buckley, Rik Brundrit, the army of volunteers, contributors, donors, sponsors, musicians and venues enough for what they do, year after year for Bury Hospice, and we count ourselves very fortunate indeed for their generous and enthusiastic support. Long may it continue!"