MUSIC fans from across the globe flocked to Swanage's seventh annual Blues Festival at the weekend.

Fans packed 11 venues across the seaside town, including pubs, bars and hotels, with landlords even suggesting they were busier than New Year's Eve.

The free festival, created and organised by local musician Steve Darrington, started on Saturday with a variety of acts, ranging from rockabilly to deep traditional blues.

Fans from Australia and Japan enjoyed a host of quality acts over the weekend, turning the town into a "blues Covent Garden".

"It was an absolutely roaring success," said Steve. "I thought last year was huge but this year was bigger. It's taken my breath away."

In recognition of its growing international reputation, a report on the opening night of the festival was broadcast on BBC South.

It is a far cry from the first festival event, which originated as a birthday party.

Steve, 57, who was disabled by polio as a child, is himself a musician. He has worked on more than 50 albums and played with a host of famous artists, including the Everly Brothers and Lonnie Donegan.

He started the festival when an accident cut short his touring career, but sadly due to the demands of organising the event, Steve was laid low with exhaustion for most of the weekend.

"I peaked too soon and missed my own party!" laughed Steve. "It's a function of the success of the festival that I was so in demand I was exhausted by the time it came around!"

Steve paid tribute to the work of Elaine Williams, of Small Planet Music, who stepped in to keep things running while he was out of action.

The three-day festival is completely free and relies on donations to keep it going.