A HUGELY successful long weekend of events, music and art has put Coleford Festival well and truly on the map as one of the major attractions of the year.

Crowds thronged the streets to hear bands give their best and for the sheer enjoyment of joining in the party.

"It was absolutely wonderful – past our wildest dreams," said organiser John Belcher. "It was almost unbelievable how a small committee of people managed to make it such a success.

"There were far more people than last year. The three stages worked perfectly, and the bands were very popular, and so were the markets and stalls and the children's rides – everything."

Although the sun didn't shine solidly from dawn to dusk on all three days, it was warm and – wonder of wonders – the rain stayed away.

The only sour note was when the festival organising committee argued with the Conservatives' Keep the Pound election campaign team and apparently tried to stop its members giving out goodies and literature and talk with townspeople, visitors and stallholders.

"Thankfully we defied their intimidation and continued to meet the people," said the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean Mark Harper.

But Mr Belcher said it was a case of trying to stop the events and entertainment being taken over by politics.

"We are totally non-political – the committee members all belong to different parties. It was simply a community event."