ORGANISERS of the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival have spoken of their hope of making the event even better.

The finest blues sounds from both sounds of the Atlantic attracted up to 60,000 people to Colne for the three-day festival.

Bands including Sharrie Williams and the Wiseguys, Mighty Mo Rodgers, and The Jive Aces took to the stage to complete the line-up last night.

Phil Storey, chief executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, which ran the festival, paid tribute to local promoter Gary Hood for organising a superb line-up.

And he said a booze-ban introduced this year, as well as the axing of the Up 4 It stage, had helped reduce the number of incidents of trouble.

He said: "People have enjoyed the music and it has been wonderful festival.

"The changes we have made, like the no-alcohol zone from the Municipal Hall to the top of Colne, and no Up 4 It stage have worked."

The Up 4 It stage - designed to attract more youngsters - was held in Exchange Street, away from the main festival.

It received criticism last year after residents and councillors complained that noise, anti-social behaviour and litter were spiralling out of control.

One resident was awarded £1,000 after complaining about noise from the stage at the 2001 festival.

Mr Storey added: "There has been a lot of fun on the streets and the programme of events has been fabulous. Everyone has been really friendly and have enjoyed themselves.

"Visitors to the town are down probably as there was no Up 4 It stage but the venues have been packed to capacity.

"The ones that were missing are the ones who came for other reasons than the music.

"There are rumours every year it is going to be the last festival but I hope there is one next year.

"It has been a tremendous success and puts Colne on the map."