A LAST minute stage crisis and torrential rain weren't enough to dampen the spirits of music fans in Newton.

Last weekend saw Mesnes Park taken over by two stages featuring more than 60 live acts performing over three days for the Newton Music Festival.

But a last minute problem with one of the stages left organisers with a scramble to get together a decked stage and marquee before the gates opened last Friday night.

A spokesman said: "I don't think that the festival was a disaster, I think we did quite well. We had quite a crowd throughout the weekend.

"We always said that as long as we have a covered stage we will go ahead. We are all experienced with the festival and when something like that happens it pulls us together and makes us more determined not to let it beat us."

Saturday night headline act Dr Feelgood were the star attraction and organisers praised all the bands who performed at the weekend.

This year the Newton Music Festival Committee, Mersey Rock and The Griffin Hotel will be holding a number of events to promote next year's festival.