FESTIVAL-goers descended on Wyre Forest for ten-days of music, comedy, drama and the arts, for the annual Bewdley Festival.

The 29th Bewdley Festival brought its traditional mix of local talent and stars of stage, screen and concert halls, all packed into an eventful 10 days and all delivered entirely by volunteers.

The event, which ran from Friday, October 7, to Sunday, October 16, is much-anticipated by lovers of music, comedy, drama and the arts in Wyre Forest.

Organisers have stated the festival will return in 2017 – the event’s 30th anniversary.

The festival kicked off with music from Neil Innes’ iconic 70s creation the Rutles. The band are known for their visual and aural parodies of the Beatles.

The festival closed with favourite Lesley Smith and a party night with Our Friends Electric on the Saturday, followed by a church service at St Anne’s Church on the Sunday.

Other performances across the 10-day festival included Anne Reid, a lecture from Max Keen, TV historian Kate Williams, Antiques Roadshow’s Andy McConnell, Judy Tzuke and Miles Jupp.

Dave Collins, festival director, said: “Another eclectic programme well received by our local and regional audience – and some visitors from as far away as Lancashire and Cardiff.

“Although this year’s programme followed a very similar format to last year, ticket sales were unfortunately not comparable.

“There were tickets still available for most events, so some people missed the opportunity to enjoy another great festival line-up.”

Mr Collins added: “It was indeed successful in as much as the audiences all praised what they saw, but audiences could have been larger.

“But fear not, there will be a 30th Bewdley Festival.”

Other aspects of the festival, which will continue throughout October, include David Tedham’s art exhibition at Bewdley Museum and the Duck House Trail Community Arts project, in Jubilee Gardens.

The display of more than 40 Duck Houses have been decorated by the town’s community groups, organisations and schools.