MUSIC fans were treated to the cream of Bolton's bands in Leverhulme Park on Saturday.

More than 1,000 people watched as bands took part in the town's third annual outdoor festival dedicated to live music.

Organisers have hailed the Band In The Park event part of this year's Bolton Music Showcase as a huge success.

Paul Dean, who started Bolton Music Showcase three years ago and performed at Saturday's event with band Out of the Gray, said: "We're delighted with how many people turned out to support the event, despite the rain. There were 500 people there at any one time and we estimate in excess of 1,000 turned up during the day.

"The most pleasing thing for me was that I saw a lot of people who wouldn't normally come to watch, including families, and they all seemed to be having a good time.

"The setting was brilliant and we hope that this will be repeated next year."

Other bands who played at the free six-hour event included Appease, The Watchers, Islands Lost At Sea, Minions of Jeffrey, To The Bones and Nero.

The festival was also a hit with fans.

Hannah Gardiner, a 17-year-old Bolton School sixth form pupil, from Crompton Way, Tonge Moor, said: "I know most of the bands from going to see them in Bolton, but it's great to see them all playing together outdoors.

"Bolton has got a really good music scene and more people should come out and support it."

Mark Sutherland, aged 35, a carpet fitter from Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, was at the event with his partner Joanna Smethurst, aged 28, and her son Callum, aged three.

He said: "We'd actually just come to the park for a walk and ended up coming down here to watch.

"It's a nice atmosphere and everybody's enjoying themselves despite the weather."

The Music Showcase features two weeks of music events with punk, metal, electronica and acoustic performances at venues across Bolton.

See www.boltonevening news.co.uk for more details of upcoming events.