Organiser Roger Woodall has hailed this year’s Bournemouth Rugby Sevens festival as the biggest and best yet.

The Daily Echo-backed event is now in its fourth year and Woodall believes the annual sport and music festival is now competing with the biggest festivals in the world.

“This is the year that people begin to realise just how big a festival the Bournemouth Sevens has become,” said Woodall. “It’s great for the town and it’s amazing to see so many people enjoying themselves with the variety of entertainments we have on offer here.” Over 20,000 people attended the three-day festival with 3,000 camping on site.

“People are now coming from all over Britain to attend and it’s recognised worldwide as one of the biggest Sevens festivals out there,” said Woodall.

“I think it’s right up there with the biggest festivals of the British summer.”

Aside from watching rugby and netball action, festival- goers enjoyed live performances from ten bands – including the Cuban Brothers and Sirpico – across six arenas and on the Nintendo Festival stage.

On Saturday, the Aviva Premie-rship final and Cham-pions League final were both shown live on a big screen and free shuttle buses from Bournemouth train station ferried festival-goers from the town to the Chapel Gate site.

England internationals Danny Care and Olly Barkley were amongst the celebrities in the VIP tent.

“The aim now is to keep progressing and pushing the festival to make it even bigger and better for next year,” declared Woodall.

For a full round-up of the rugby action from the festival, including our local sides, see tomorrow’s Daily Echo sports section.