KENDAL Calling is backing a campaign to get Viola Beach to number one in the charts following the tragic deaths of the band members and their manager. 

The British indie band, who were due to play at the Penrith festival this summer, all died after the car they were travelling in plunged more than 80ft into a canal in Sweden. 

Band members Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin and manager Craig Tarry were killed when their vehicle crashed just hours after they played their first gig outside the UK. 

Fans of the Warrington-based band are campaigning to get Viola Beach's single, Swings & Waterslides, to the top the official UK chart. 

The Kendal Calling Facebook page shares the 'Get VB to No.1' campaign and the festival team said: "We are deeply saddened today about the news of the tragic deaths of Viola Beach and their manager. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this time and we wish to share the below to help remember their music. Love from the KC Team x" 

A number of tributes were paid to the group and Mr Tarry following the accident in Sodertalje, 18 miles from the capital Stockholm, in the early hours of Saturday. 

The family of Mr Leonard, 20, said: "Words cannot express the sadness we feel at the loss of our precious Kristian. He was doing the job he loved and will be missed so much by his family and friends. 

"We ask for privacy to grieve at this devastating time." 

The family of Mr Reeves, 19, said they were "heartbroken" by his death alongside the bandmates and manager "he adored and loved". 

In a statement, they said: "Viola Beach were on such an exciting journey and River could not have been happier. He would have loved to have stuck around for the party. 

"All River wanted to do was perform and entertain and to think that he will never make us laugh again with his ridiculous impressions and cheeky banter is beyond comprehension for all his family." 

Relatives of Mr Lowe described him as "the best son, brother, uncle and friend you could ever wish for" and said his life had been "tragically cut short". 

Mr Tarry's family said they were "devastated" and "grieving the loss of their son and also for the other families involved in this tragic accident". 

Ian Grimble, the band's producer, who has worked with the likes of Mumford & Sons, said: "I first became aware of Viola Beach through their single Swings & Waterslides and was very taken by the energy and vibrancy that jumped out of the speakers. 

"Upon meeting them for the first time, along with Craig their manager, I could soon see why, their exuberance and determination to scream out to the world was overwhelming. 

"It is with great sadness that we will not be able to see them grow from the spark that they are now, into the raging fire that they so desperately desired to become."

The band's label Communion Records spoke of its "total shock and sorrow", adding that they had "everything going for them - great songs, passion, talent, drive ... everything that a band should have". 

It said: "To sit down with the band was to sit down with a group of guys whose band you wanted to be in, and to be in the presence of a band who knew just what it would take to make it. 

"Kris, River, Jack and Tom were determined to go out into the world and play every show they could until the world was singing along with them, and now that dream has been sadly taken away from all of us." 

British band The Enemy wrote on social media: "RIP Viola Beach and their manager. Such incredibly tragic and sad news. Thought with the friends and families of all involved x."