THOUSANDS of blues enthusiasts descended on Burnley at the weekend for the 17th Burnley National Blues Festival.

Festival organisers billed it as the 'year of the diva' and were true to their word.

The event, held at the Mechanics Theatre, started on Friday with Ladies Night featuring the larger than life character of Candye Kane, Ana Popovic who also played blues guitar and Eve Monsees.

The opening night finished in the small hours with Ocean's Seven and their jive sound.

And on the final night the headline act of the three-day festival was the legendary Maxine Brown.

She followed Doug Jay and the Blue Jays, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, Sam 'Bluzman' Taylor, Just Blues and the Thomas Brothers

One of the leading dates in the Blues calendar, the Burnley Blues Festival proved to be bigger and better than ever before, with tickets to the main stage virtually sold out every night.

At the same time thousands more were watching acts put on in the Roadhouse Blues Bar, downstairs at the theatre.

As well as the main festival events at the Mechanics pubs and clubs across the town also got involved hosting official fringe events throughout the three day event.

Kirk Worley, general manager of the Mechanics, said the festival -- now the longest running in Britain -- had been a great success.

He said: "Some fantastic bands have played over the weekend and the audiences have been very receptive.

"The atmosphere, as always, has been great.

"It is a fantastic event and it brings people from all over the country into the town."