HAGLEY'S first rock and pop festival went down a storm - with up to 1,700 people flocking to the village playing fields for an afternoon of music and dancing in glorious sunshine.

Organisers were "chuffed" by the turnout for Saturday's Hagfest, which boasted a line-up of 11 acts and scores of attractions for children and families.

"It was a really good day - we were very lucky with the weather and there has been a lot of feedback from families saying how fantastic it was," said Sarah Evans, music coordinator for the event, and who is one of the owners of Stourbridge-based Base Studios.

"Children were really happy because there was lots on for them, which meant the adults could sit back and enjoy the day.

"We were hoping for at least 1,000 people but it was more like 1,600 to 1,700, which was brilliant.

"We were chuffed - and, when we opened, before we knew it people were walking in with their deck chairs, which was just the atmosphere we wanted to create."

Mrs Evans added that the success of the day owed much to the hard work of Fran Evans, leader of the Hagfest Committee.

Hagfest was organised to raise money to launch a fund to build a new community centre in Hagley and it was hoped the event could bring in around £10,000, although the amount is still being tallied up.

Among performers were Danny Dearden, a singer-songwriter who made it to Mel B's Judges house in last year's X Factor, the Blue Eyed Beggars blues-rock trio, songstress Vanessa Lee and Hagley Primary School Choir.

The event ended with headline act the Spacehoppers.

"The Spacehoppers went out on a real high," said Sarah.