THIS year's Darwen Music Live festival has been dubbed the biggest and best yet.

In its second year, the event pulled in thousands of people from across the country who decided to brave the bad weather to hear good music.

Organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council, the attraction also featured the town's first beer festival, a fun day for Help The Aged and a Petticoat Lane market.

Coun David Smith said he was very impressed: "The weather wasn't as good as last year but there were thousands of people and the bands I saw were excellent. It's great for Darwen. Everyone said what a great time they had."