FANTASTIC! That was how Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival organiser Phillip Martin described the ninth annual Easter extravaganza.

Demand for tickets went 'through the roof' as top bands packed the Civic Hall and Crown Hotel throughout the five-day festival, attracting well over 40,000 visitors to the town

Mr Martin, who has organised the festival from the start, said: 'Last year we estimated that 40,000 people had enjoyed the festival, but it was far busier this year, though it is too early to put a figure on it.

'All the bands played at the Civic Hall and the Crown to packed houses and there were scores of free concerts in most of the town centre pubs.'

The comments of Jane Hobson, of the Railway Hotel, were typical of other licensees.

She said: 'On Sunday and Monday we took as much over the bar as we normally take during a six-week period.

'The festival just seems to get better and better each year and I think it is fantastic not just for the pubs who put on the free shows, but the town as a whole. It really puts Nantwich on the map.'

Mr Martin said he made friends with visitors to the festival from the United States, Japan and China, commenting: 'Nantwich is well known as a town which attracts tourists, and during the festival they come in their thousands.

'We have new people coming every year and I hope the festival encourages them to come back to Nantwich many more times.'

Mr Martin said he hoped the 10th festival next Easter would be even better.

He said: 'We have got to do something really special to mark the 10th anniversary of the festival, so as soon as I get my breath back I will be working on it!'