FROM the bands to the audience, the 14th Ipswich Music Day was one of diversity and enjoyment.People of all ages and backgrounds flocked to Christchurch Park in their thousands to listen to a selection of music from jazz to rock.

FROM the bands to the audience, the 14th Ipswich Music Day was one of diversity and enjoyment.

People of all ages and backgrounds flocked to Christchurch Park in their thousands to listen to a selection of music from jazz to rock.

Young and old basked in the sunny spells, tapping their feet and dancing to an array of bands including Tuscan Raiders, Horn Factory and Raindance.

The largest free one-day music event in East Anglia, every year Ipswich Music Day attracts people from across the region.

Jo Richards, of Edmonton Close, Kesgrave, said: "I think it is a wonderful idea to have something free that everyone can come to. There is lots of variety and choice and it is fantastic and great for Ipswich.

"It is a chance for youngsters with talent to get that talent heard. I have been coming for the last four years and it gets better every year."

The event costs the taxpayer nothing and is self financing with a number of sponsors supporting the cause.

This year's principal sponsor was 'one' railways with added support from BT and the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op.

Marsha Flowers, 30, of Handford Road, Ipswich attended the event for the second time with her daughter and friend.

She said: "It has been a great day – really enjoyable. Usually you have to pay for everything nowadays and it is such a change to have something free and enjoyable."

Falling in the middle of Ipswich's third Ip-art festival, the organisers were keen to remind people that events would continue into next week.

Craig Oldfield, Ipswich council's operations and events manager, said: "This is the centre piece of the Ip-art festival which is over two weeks and there are lots of events for people to see.

"The good thing about the music day is the sheer mix and range of people. "You have heavy metallers sitting next to families with grannies having picnics and they are all getting on. We are very proud of the event and will continue to be.

"We have got a lot of new bands that are prominent in the area – 80 per cent are new bands this year.

"We have had more than 500 applications from regional and national bands that have applied to be on the stage. We are getting national recognition of the quality of the day."

Tess Connor, 38, of Valley Walk, Felixstowe attended the event for the first time with her husband.

She said: "We sat at the SGR stage and it was brilliant music. It gets everyone out and it is not all of the time you get something for free.

"It makes a change on a Sunday. We both work full time so it is a nice day out for us."