FANTASTIC! Why can't we do this every year?That was the reaction in Felixstowe to the enormous success of possibly the biggest event the resort has ever staged.

FANTASTIC! Why can't we do this every year?

That was the reaction in Felixstowe to the enormous success of possibly the biggest event the resort has ever staged.

While it was a great way to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee, many people thought the BBC Music Live festival ought to be an annual event for the resort.

Businessman Ted Race, who has been a trader in the town for more than 30 years, said: "It's been absolutely fantastic. Wonderful.

"It takes me back to the 1950s before package holidays when Felixstowe would be like this every weekend throughout the summer.

"It's what the town really needs. It brings huge benefits to everyone. I would love to see it become an annual event."

Mayor Malcolm Minns was thrilled with the success of the day. "I think it has been a marvellous day and I hope everyone has really enjoyed it.

"It is great to see so many people here enjoying themselves. It is just what the town needs."

Musician David Jennings, keyboard player with Re:deem, one of the bands taking part, said: "It's brilliant to see Felixstowe so alive. This is what a seaside town should be like in summer."

Event co-ordinator Les Arbon, who spent months with his team preparing for the big day, said: "I have a mixture of relief and joy really – relief that it's all gone so well and joy that everyone has had such a great time.

"It's hard to tell how many people we have had here today, but I would say 35,000 is the minimum. The weather has been good and I am just so thrilled that people wanted to come and celebrate. It's been brilliant.

"It has been an awful lot of hard work but it has been worth it – when you see this many people in Felixstowe enjoying themselves, that makes it worthwhile."

He thanked everyone who had taken part and all those who had helped make the event such a success.

n It was a big day for another Queen, too – as Felixstowe's new Carnival Queen was crowned.

For Faye Lloyd it was a double delight as it meant she would be serving for the second year running, having enjoyed the role so much in the past 12 months.

"I have really enjoyed it and when the carnival committee asked me if I would do it again, I said it would be an honour. I love meeting people and going to all the events and I am looking forward to doing it all over again," she said.

Faye, 18, of Felixstowe Ferry, was crowned by mayor Malcolm Minns. She currently works in an office, but later this year will be going off to the University of Essex to study humanities.

Her princesses for the year are Rebecca Vinecombe, 13, a pupil at Deben High School, and Sarah Hawes, 11, a pupil at Grange Primary.