HUNDREDS of music lovers danced and partied in the glorious sunshine on Frodsham Hill over the bank holiday weekend.

Despite winds pulling at the canvas stage and blowing bands precariously towards the edge, more than 800 people trekked up the hill to enjoy music from the best view in town.

On Sunday, packed crowds of festival goers danced and swayed as eight live bands pumped out well known hits from across the decades on the picturesque lawn behind Forest Hills Hotel.

This year’s Frodsham Charity Music Festival was so successful that dozens of music lovers had to be turned away as tickets completely sold out in just two hours.

At 2pm residents enjoyed cold pints, wine and cider as musicians from Helsby High School Jazz Band opened the festival before local band Maximum Sounds Disco took to the stage.

As temperatures soared residents of all ages jumped to their feet as popular rock and soul group The Retro Band belted out feel-good hits including Sweet Home Alabama and Summer of ‘69.

And after heated bidding, the afternoon charity auction saw one resident spend £480 on a pair of sought-after Take That concert tickets donated by Gary Barlow himself.

Speaking during the festival John Hodgson, who organised the event with Pat McLaren, said: “We had 800 tickets to sell and there are 75 band members here. We have always wanted to hold the festival on the hill, it is just beautiful up here.

“Most of the people who are here are from the local area, everyone knows each other.”

Celebrated Frodsham playwright Tim Firth, who wrote Calendar Girls, said that the festival was an excellent way to bring residents together.

“You wouldn’t get a better venue than this, the view is really stunning from up here.

“Part of the reason that I live around here is because of this sort of thing. It is fantastic, there must be hundreds of people here, it is such a special venue.

“If I had not been the compère I would have been in the crowds. I think the hope is that they will do this every year, and I hope they do, it is a really big deal.”

Enjoying the festival with her four best friends, 18-year-old Aimee Harrison of Main Street, Frodsham, said that she was having a brilliant time.

“This is the first time we have been to the festival. We are here to support Ben Porter who was in the first band. We will be here all night, it has been fantastic.”

The festival is thought to have raised £14,000 for Halton Haven Hospice, Mencap and 4th Frodsham Scout Group.

Can you spot yourself in the crowds on our video at www.chesterchronicle.co.uk?