AROUND 10,000 visitors from all over the world turned out for the best Nantwich Folk and Roots Festival of all time.

People from as far afield as Europe and America were in town for the four-day event that has been hailed as a major success.

Crewe's very own music legend Fluff played her first gig with sixties icons The Incredible String Band to kick things off at Civic Hall, last Friday.

Unprecedented entertainment lined the town square over the weekend with some of the very best in both local talent and the genre playing venues across Nantwich.

Leading the new generation, Mercury Music Prize nominee Kate Rusby excelled in a sell-out gig on Sunday, the Acoustic Strawbs starred on Saturday and East African dance champ Bob Tiger closed things off with a workshop and performance on Monday.

Organiser Dave Hogg was delighted with the Festival's success.

"We've estimated that around 10,000 additional people were in the town," he said.

"That's a lot of people and everything went swimmingly so the festival was a huge success.

"Kate Rusby played a sensational sell-out gig on the Sunday.

"Flavour of the month with a Mercury Music Prize nomination, she's bringing a new audience with folk crossing into mainstream.

"It wasn't just the big acts though.

"Some of the local acts were superb.

"Dulaman just keep getting better and better and a couple of guys called the Moobs produced an impeccable set.

"They performed some clever and catchy tunes and are definitely one to watch out for.

"A personal highlight for me was Mr Fox who did this strange and bizarre torch lit dance on the square last Saturday night. Those going to Greggs were gob-smacked!"

An international success, "best ever" summed it all up.

"People from across Europe and even America turned out which is very encouraging," continued Dave.

"I can categorically say that it's the best one we've ever held and Nantwich is definitely on the Folk and Roots map now."