By Julie Armstrong

Last updated 23:30, Monday, 28 July 2008

MARYPORT Blues Festival got the seal of approval last night from Jools Holland, who hailed it as ‘one of the nicest festivals around’.

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He brought the three-day festival to a close after thousands of people transformed the seaside town into a heaving mass of revellers over the weekend.

In its 10th year, Maryport Blues attracted acts such as Texas’ Jimmie Vaughan, Australia’s Derrin Nauendorf and Jeff Lang and Scandinavia’s Little Jenny & the Blue Beans.

The audience was also international. “I just met someone from New Orleans,” said Kath Richardson, 46, of Pecklewell Terrace, Maryport.

“There are people here from all over the world, and the atmosphere is fantastic.”

Carol Gaston, 45, of Victoria Terrace, said: “This is the biggest event of the year for Maryport, even bigger than the carnival.

“It’s the only day you can drink in the street. I don’t even like the blues, but look at all the people.

“I look forward to this weekend as much as going abroad on holiday.”

This is not your ordinary festival confined to a field. This one takes over the whole town, with dancing in the buskers-lined streets, and burger-munching and beer-swilling blues lovers all soaking up the glorious sunshine down at Shipping Brow.

Ian Casson, 49, of Whitehaven, said: “The Maritime festival could learn from this – it shows you how a festival is done.”

Aside from the main marquee, around 20 smaller ‘trail’ venues are dotted around the town, giving local bands a chance to be heard.

By the Senhouse stage, Gill Marley, 48, of Dewsbury, said: “We just found it by accident last year staying on a friend’s boat. You’re made to feel really welcome, people talk to you like you’re their friend.”

A sunburned Mark Holderness, 41, chipped in: “To have this many people together – if this was in Yorkshire there’d be a riot, but everyone is just enjoying themselves.

“We work seven days a week all year round, but we had to take time off for this.”

“It’s as good as Leeds festival,” added his son Tom, 21.

In the rugby club marquee, 2,400 people turned out on Friday night for one of the pioneers of rock and roll, Chuck Berry, with 1,900 to see celebrated blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan on Saturday.

The biggest crowd, closer to 3,000 people, turned out last night to see Jools Holland and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra close the show, with the highlight for many when guest Marc Almond broke into Tainted Love.

One of the biggest cheers was saved until the lights had gone up. MC Mark Singleton ensured members of the audience showed their appreciation to the committee of local people who work tirelessly all year round to stage such a wonderful weekend.

Jools Holland review: page 25

JArmstrong@cngroup.co.uk