A ROARING success. That’s how the first Westfield Street Music Festival is being described after thousands turned out on Sunday.

Visitors packed into the town centre street – closed to traffic during the event – to soak up the vibrant sounds and atmosphere.

Some bars’ beer pumps ran dry by late afternoon – and crowds were so vast for some of the top acts that bars had to shut their doors.

St Helens Star: PICTURES: Westfield Street Music festival 'a roaring success'

  • SAMBA BEAT: Brazilian drummers BATALA added to the atmosphere

St Helens Star: PICTURES: Westfield Street Music festival 'a roaring success'

  • QUICK STEP: young dancers enjoy the street parade

 

St Helens Star: PICTURES: Westfield Street Music festival 'a roaring success'

  • PARTY TIME: Festival goers remarked on the friendly atmosphere

Organiser Paul Griffiths said: “There were was a fantastic community spirit. You could just sense that everyone was up for it.”

Batala Brazilian Drummer band set the tempo by marching up the street before music got underway in the bars. Joining the throng was Johnny Vegas, whose presence and profile helped draw in the crowds.

Leading local bands such as Stillia and Titors Insignia rubbed shoulders with North West groups such as Jeremiah Ferrari and Skinny Lizard.

St Helens Star: PICTURES: Westfield Street Music festival 'a roaring success'

  • COOL: Stillia even look part tucking into their fish and chips

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  • GOOD VIBES: Jeremiah Ferrari at the Zoo Bar

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DRUMMERS: BATALA get the party started

Mr Griffiths added: “It is hard for us to say how many were there. It was definitely in the thousands. Some say it was busier than one of the main Christmas nights.

"The takeaways, restaurants and shops that were open all benefited too, as did the taxi drivers. So it gave the local economy a lift too.”

There are hopes the event will become an annual attraction.

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STAR ATTRACTION: Johnny Vegas poses for pictures with fans

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  • FRIENDLY DRINK: thousands attended the first festival and there were plenty of happy faces

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  • LAUGHS:Musicians enjoyed themselves too