Music fans enjoy the sun at Stafford Castle festival

Music fans basked in glorious sunshine to enjoy 25 different acts in the beautiful surrounds of Stafford Castle.

Thousands attended Live at the Castle 2011 yesterday, which saw more than ten hours of live music performed.

It featured the best of Stafford's up-and-coming rock and acoustic talent and visitors danced all day and into the evening, enjoying picnics in the sun. The stage and seating from the Stafford Festival Shakespeare, which finished on Saturday night, was used for the open air event.

The annual extravaganza is part of the Stafford Festival series of events. Fans were even given the chance to chill out in the acoustic marquee.

The main stage programme started at noon with local act Something To Write About opening the day with the last act Lost Scene starting at 9.30pm.

Other bands in the line-up included Honeymoon Fresh, Toybox, 27 Steps, UKID, Sunset on Surburbia and also Dave Baron Band.

Music in the acoustic marquee ran from 1.30pm with many performers on show including Theo Hogben, Nathan Alexander, Liz Gask, Niel and Grace Pennington, Pelo, Nu Born Cru, Katie and Emily Thompson, Andy and Lawrence, Ju Blencoe, Majika and Five Seconds.

Mark Hartwell, spokesman for the council, said it was estimated that between 5,000 and 6,000 people attended throughout the day.

He added:?"There was a great turnout for this event making the most of the music and the fine weather.

"It was a great chance for musical talent to showcase their style and the event has been really successful in doing this when Live at the Castle has been held in previous years. Everyone was really pleased with the bands on offer.

"With the acoustic marquee as well there was a wide range of artists for people to enjoy.

"We want to say thanks to everyone involved in helping the event to take place."