THOUSANDS of people enjoyed fun and frolics at a music marathon in Martlesham to help seriously ill children.The crowds were treated to a 12-hour medley by a range of bands on Martlesham Heath Green on Saturday.

THOUSANDS of people enjoyed fun and frolics at a music marathon in Martlesham to help seriously ill children.

The crowds were treated to a 12-hour medley by a range of bands on Martlesham Heath Green on Saturday.

Now in its ninth year, the Music on the Green event raised essential funds for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which cares for children with life-threatening conditions.

The entertainment struck the right chord from the off at 10.30am and continued throughout the day with an eclectic mix of bands.

Across two stages, the crowds were treated to local school bands Hysteria and The Mutiny, as well as more established groups including Smokin' Hogs, Aftershock and Anything But Ordinary. After The Fire, who had chart success in the 1980s and appeared on the hit BBC programme Top of the Pops, headlined in the evening.

Stuart Gordon, chairman of Music on the Green and a bass player with country rock group Cool Remedy, which played in the evening, said the event was bigger and busier than ever before.

He added: “The quality of the bands has also got better. The event has just continued to grow. I would like to thank the committee and the many volunteers.”

Mark Fox, community fundraising officer for EACH, said the charity hoped to raise more than �5,000 from the event.

He said: “The committee are brilliant and have really supported us. The day has gone really well and has been great for raising awareness.”