MUSIC fans descended on the Ribble Valley over the weekend for a three-day music festival.

A sell-out 5,000 people camped at the fourth Beat Herder festival, which took place between Sawley and Gisburn.

The festival goers enjoyed sparking performances from headliners and chart-toppers Sheffield-based Reverend and the Makers, as well as the Utah Saints.

The festival has grown in popularity since it began four years ago, but organisers have said it will not be expanded or moved in forthcoming years.

Nick Chambers, who is one of a six-man Keighley-based organising team behind the event, said: “The whole idea of the festival is for it to be relatively small and intimate, which is why the current location is great.

“We are looking for a real closeness and community feel for Beat Herder, and we think we have achieved that at the current site.”

There was some disappointment that the heatwave engulfing East Lancashire failed to last and heavy rain hit the site on Friday.

But organisers said the rain and overcast conditions had not put a dampener on the revellers spirits.

Mr Chambers added: “We are delighted with the success the festival has gained in just four years.

“A lot of it is down to word of mouth, it has spread so quickly around the north and people came from all over this weekend.

“There aren't many music festivals in the north so I think that is part of its attraction and popularity.”

Organisers say the Beat Herder festival grew out of the northern underground party scene and brings together artistry, musical madness and ‘theatrical nonsense’, at a low-cost eco-friendly gathering.

The festival is organised and promoted by an independent group of friends who have no involvement in corporate organisations and receive no sponsorship.

Other performers at the three-day gathering included Beardyman, a former UK beatbox champion, The Young Punx and Dub Pistols.