BEWDLEY Festival ‘exceeded all expectations’ for its 27th year last week.

The Bewdley Festival brought its traditional eclectic mix of local talent, regional celebrities and stars of stage, screen and concert halls, packed into an eventful ten days.

The event, which ran from Friday, October 10, to Sunday, October 19, is much anticipated by lovers of music, comedy, drama and the arts in Bewdley and beyond.

Dave Collins, press and marketing officer of the festival, said: “The slogan for the festival is ‘To bring the best into Bewdley and to bring the best out of Bewdley.’

“And this year’s festival exceeded all expectations again and each year is getting better. There were many new faces in the audience.

“The eclectic mix meant that there was something for everyone.”

Favourites from the festival including Midge Ure, Courtney Pine and comedian Hal Cruttenden.

The opening ceremony for the festival was carried out by arts correspondent of BBC Midlands Today, Satnam Rana at the Mercure Hotel Kidderminster, in Habberley Road.

This year saw the introduction of Classical Sunday with two concerts scheduled which featured a recital by Ashley Wass and Baroque music from the Chamber Ensemble of The King’s Consort.

The festival closed with a traditional church service, but an art exhibition at Bewdley Museum, featuring Keith Noble’s Journey in Light, Mood and Atmosphere, continues until November 9.

Other performances across the 10 days included Ian McMillan, Judy Cornwell, Doug Scott, Lesley Smith and Francesca Millican-Slater.