A MUSIC festival in Nelson over the weekend was such a success it is to become an annual event.

Two pubs and two night clubs took part in the Nelson Unplugged event, which attracted more than 1,500 people.

The clubs were packed for the three-hour acoustic music festival and people gave generously for the special needs music centre at Coldwell Activity Centre.

If the event has raised more than £1,000, the activity centre will be able to buy a special keyboard to allow handicapped children to play along to popular songs.

Organiser David Wilkinson, of Nelson promotions sub-committee, said: "It was great fun and went smoothly.

"The weather was one of the main problems when we were setting up in the morning but we made provisions for events inside. I'd say there were between 1,500 and 2,000 people and the collection tins were going round like crazy.

"We had some gospel singers and folk groups in the Victory Shopping Centre and 23 bands across the six stages in the town centre.

"One person came up to me asked if we could have the festival each month.

"The only thing I was a little disappointed at was the response to a radio appeal for Asian bands to take part. Tony, a partner at Equinox nightclub, was trying to attract Asian bands but they seem a bit thin on the ground and we have struggled.

"The Asian community will have to pull together and get their bands sorted out for next year so that everyone in the Nelson community can be involved."

Venues for the festival included the Place de Creil, the Lord Nelson, the Victory Centre, the Clayton Arms, the Good Night Club and Equinox.

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