THE Colne Blues Festival reached its annual apex on Saturday night with several big name acts wowing the crowds.

By 10pm things were already in full swing, although there was still plenty to come.

In the main venue, or the International Stage as it's now known, Sean Costello proved why some regard him as one of the premier guitar players on the modern blues circuit.

In the packed-out lounge bar, a rock and roll band led by a double-bass player, who owed more than a little to the raucous, frenetic players of the 1950s, was delighting an enthusiastic crowd.

Sister Monica Parker, a self-confessed Windy City babe from Chicago, took to the main stage at around 11pm.

After a blistering opening number which set the tone for the remainder of her powerhouse set, Sister Monica began an emotional evaluation of her recent past; starting with the story of her battle against cancer and ending with a rousing thank you to God.

The welcoming crowd in the Municipal Hall were now on side, they were never anything else, and cheered the larger-than-life singer through an ebullient set.

The fans are still turning out in force for the Colne Blues Festival, which draws people in from all over Britain.

There were, however, some grumbles about changes which made the festival appear smaller and more disjointed than in recent years.