THE Swanage Blues Festival, which attracts blues fans from across the globe, has been nominated for a national award.

Event organiser Steve Darrington says he’s thrilled his biannual free festival is in the running for the Best British Blues Festival title.

Steve is up against paid-for festivals, but is hopeful the growing popularity of the two Swanage events will tip the votes in his favour.

He said: “It was amazing even to be nominated.

“The other five festivals are much bigger than us and charge up to £100 admission, whereas our festival is free.”

Around 3,000 people flocked to March’s Swanage blues festival, to hear from acts such as The Back Porch Band, The Barcodes, The Fabulous Fezheads and the Saiichi Sugiyama Band.

Over 20 pubs, restaurants and hotel bars host more than 100 musicians twice a year on Swanage.

Steve said: “It is like the whole town throws a big blues party.”

Aside from the gigs, the events also boast daily open mic sessions, festival friendly accommodation, blues steam train rides and numerous buskers.

Fans regularly attend from as far afield as America, New Zealand and Australia.

Steve said: “We’ve been doing this for more than 10 years now and momentum has just grown and grown.

“We’ve had people who have come to the festival on their own, then they come back the following year with a friend.

“Then a girlfriend the next year, who they went on to marry and bring the year after that.

“Now they’re coming along with their toddlers in tow. This whole thing has a life of its own – it is a real family occasion.”

Visit britishbluesawards.co.uk to place your vote for the Best British Festival Award. Voting closes at the end of July.