The six-day Preston Feast of Jazz and Blues ended on Saturday with the Red Rose Parade Band leading a march around the city's Flag Market.

Dozens of people joined the parade including Preston's mayor Councillor Pat Woods.

Brain Gumbley, music director, said the festival had been a huge success and he wants to make it bigger and better in future years

He said: "I want to speak to city centre management and really put Preston on the map.

"We're still in our early years yet and we're bound to have teething problems but we'll make this the biggest jazz festival in the North West.

"Festivals like Edinburgh had their problems but look at it now. Just give us a couple of years and we'll have an even bigger and better festival."

Plans are already being made for next year's event which will include soul acts and it is hoped people will be attracted to Preston from all around the country.

Mr Gumbley thought some of the festival would have to be cancelled after the University of Central Lancashire withdrew some of their venues when bosses discovered the buildings did not have public entertainment licences.

Owners of the Mill, Aqueduct Street, and Bistro French, Avenham Street, rallied around offering their venues for some events.

Mr Gumbley, said: "Obviously it was a really busy and stressful time because we didn't expect to have to find new venues at such short notice.

"But it worked out really well because so many people got behind us and came forward to help and it turned out to be a huge success. I can't thank them enough."