THEY came, they saw, they sang God Save the Queen - Morecambe's never seen or heard anything quite like it!

Thousands of people sporting studs and shaved heads, leather and mohawks descended on the traditional seaside resort at the weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary of punk.

More than 5,000 punks from as far away as Japan, Venezuela and Australia made the journey to Lancashire to watch up to 100 bands and many even joined local people for a stroll on the promenade to pose for an appreciative pack of international photographers.

Described by the organisers as "fantastic," the trouble-free festival put Morecambe on the world map and also generated an estimated £1 million for the local economy.

"The festival proved to be a great success with thousands of people visiting the resort," said Lancaster City Council's tourism chairman, Cllr Paul Morris. "There was a great atmosphere in the town. It was a very busy and colourful place to be throughout the weekend."

Prior to the event demand from punk fans meant that almost all of Morecambe's hotel beds had already been booked up. In addition Lancaster City Council had secured the use of hundreds of caravans as well as rooms at Lancaster University. They had also set up a campsite at Salt Ayre.

Cllr Morris added: "I am delighted at how well it went and think it has been a great example of how music can be used to draw even more visitors to Morecambe."