GALLERY A village's three-day music festival was hailed a great success with thousands of people enjoying a huge range of bands.

A VILLAGE'S three-day music festival was hailed a great success with thousands of people enjoying a huge range of bands.

The Hachfest at Hacheston, near Framlingham, was held from Friday until Sunday and although the crowds and musicians had to dodge heavy rain showers this only added to the fun and party atmosphere of the event.

The festival started four years ago with three bands in a field next to Mutimer's garage in Hacheston. The venue remains the same but the big difference is that the organisers quickly captured the imagination of the public and bands and it is now held over three days.

One highlight was the reunion of former Leiston-based band The Wild Oats who found fame in the 1960s when they supported The Kinks and The Hollies.

They played on Friday evening in front of a crowd of 1,000 and on Saturday the attractive line-up of bands brought in 1,600 people for what was billed the “live, local and loud” day.

Yesterday the style was a little more laid back and this was the “chilled out” session.

Spokeswoman Faye Skinner said they were already looking forward to next year's festival.

She said: “What we are about is showcasing local music and supporting local charities - this year it is the St Elizabeth Hospice, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.

“Everybody mucks in together, there is a really good atmosphere, the musicians donate their time, and it is really successful.”