MARTLESHAM celebrated 25 years of village life by holding a musical festival on the village green.Bright sunshine was the perfect setting for the community to gather together and enjoy 11 hours of entertainment and activities.

MARTLESHAM celebrated 25 years of village life by holding a musical festival on the green.

Bright sunshine was the perfect setting for the community to gather together and enjoy 11 hours of entertainment and activities.

More than 3,000 people converged on the village green, opposite the Douglas Bader pub, and listened to a variety of bands from Martlesham and across the county.

Every taste in music was catered for, ranging from indie to punk and from calypso to country and western.

The day, which has been held since the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, is organised by a working party of the parish council to allow organisations and charities to promote themselves and raise funds.

Paul Firman, chairman of the working party, said: "We had 15 bands and there was something for everyone.

"We are trying to put Martlesham on the map for music by giving local bands an opportunity to perform and get themselves noticed.

"The turnout was brilliant and the crowds flocked in from when we got started at 11am.

"The weather was kind to us. Last year it poured down but this year we enjoyed the sun all day, which helped pull in the crowds. We couldn't have wished for a better day."

Accompanying the music on the green was a car boot sale, a number of rides, a plant sale and various stalls and raffle competitions, and a bouncy castle for the younger members of the audience.

All money raised on the day will go to the St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich.

"We hope to have raised about £800, which is a lot considering entry was free.

"It was a marvellous day and I'd like to thank all the volunteers and our sponsors, BTexact Technologies, Martlesham Monthly magazine, Bairstow Eve's and Blackcat sound and lighting.

"Without their help the day wouldn't have been possible."