MUSIC and sunshine came to Ewood Park for Blackburn's very own party in the park.

Around 15,000 fans crammed the Jack Walker stand and soaked up the sounds and sunshine on the covered turf in front of the stage at the Feel The Noise Rock FM concert yesterday.

And the excited screams of music lovers could be heard throughout the afternoon.

But it was the winner of Pop Idol Will Young -- headlining the concert -- who was eagerly awaited by the majority of the concert-goers.

Many ecstatic fans had waited more than four hours to hear Evergreen and Light My Fire performed by their TV hero -- sporting his hip-look baggy trousers -- and gave a huge cheer when he finally appeared.

Minutes before he went on stage he said: "It is so nice to be here in this fantastic weather. It is brilliant.

"I have come back from a holiday in Europe and been concentrating on writing some new stuff but there is no fixed date yet for an album, which is a shame, because people keep asking me! But all the new stuff is quite different.

"It is a real hectic life style but is a dream come true to have won Pop Idol."

Fellow Pop Idol star Darius Danesh, who knows Blackburn through an ex-girlfriend, had hundreds of girls wolf whistling and begging for autographs at his debut performance of Colour-blind.

"I don't think you could ever get used to that but I still have a certain fondness for the Lancashire accent!" he said.

"I am so excited about performing and it is great to get some feed back about the new single. It is my chance to say a big thank you to all the fans in East Lancashire who helped put me on stage where I am now."

Pop Idol fans Emma Golding, 13, and Samantha Horridge, 14, from Darwen were convinced Gareth Gates would make a special appearance but were happy enjoying the "brilliant atmosphere".

Janet Tabiner, 17, Karen Shanon, nine, and Carley Pickering, eight, from Blackburn moved from the stands to the covered turf to dance the afternoon away.

Janet said: "The sun is shining and the music is excellent. What more could you want?"

More than 20 bands played at the event, including Mis-teeq, Daniel Bedingfield, Claire Sweeney, Chesney Hawkes and Kelly Llorenna.