THOUSANDS of revellers enjoyed a free celebration of music and culture at Witton Park, Blackburn, on Saturday.

Alternative rockers Toploader played their smash hit Dancing in the Moonlight at the annual free Blackburn Festival as families also enjoyed fairground rides and magic, comedy, craft stalls, and food from around the world.

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The event also featured performances from Bhangra superstar Panjabi MC, the Northern Jazz Orchestra, Sky Valley Mistress, and The Slydes.

Crowds gathered at the acoustic stage to watch comedians Diane Fitton, Rob Kemp, Tony Vino, and Daniel Kennedy reel off one-liners and anecdotes.

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And theatre company Les Enfants Terrible brought their Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie to the delight of visitors.

Packed with Vaudeville acts, live musicians and puppeteers, the group helped the festival build on the success of last year. The event is arranged and operated by the Blackburn Festival Committee, a non-profit organisation formed by volunteers. Organiser Alex Martindale said the festival attracted around 5,000 people.

He said: “Toploader were absolutely rocking. It’s important for the town that we put on a free festival, and there was a real sense of identity in Blackburn. The weather forecast was good but on the day, although it started all right, it started to drizzle and rain during the morning. That put off a number of people.

“At 2pm it cleared up and it was good for the rest of the day.”