MUSIC lovers in the North-East have been enjoying a weekend of top tunes over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The third annual Consett Festival got underway on Saturday and has continued until today (Monday, May 25).

It was held at Consett AFC and featured live performances from local bands and theatre groups.

Organiser Brad Wilkinson estimates more than 3,000 have come through the gates over the last three days.

He said: “The atmosphere has been fantastic, really warm and friendly and people have been lounging around, soaking up the sun and enjoying the music from the marquee.

“I am over the moon with how it has gone. It could not have been better. It is almost unreal.”

Some of the money from ticket prices and donations will be used to record an album for one of the local bands and pay for new strips for a Consett AFC junior team.

Mr Wilkinson said around £2,000 has been raised and will be shared between the Consett and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Lee Robson Patient Care Grant scheme, part of Bright Red, the North-East leukaemia charity.

He said: “The event is not about making money and any profit will be reinvested in next year’s event. It is important that we give some back to the community and are just redirecting some of the money to people who need it.”