LYME Regis' annual weekend of folk music made its triumphant return over the bank holiday weekend.

The Lyme Regis Folk Weekend went ahead for the first time in two years after last year's event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Alongside traditional free music shows on the seafront, this year's event included four headlining concerts at the Marine Theatre.

The festival ran from Friday, August 27 to Monday, August 30.

Organiser Jeremy Hayes said: "It was great to be back and to see people out and about enjoying themselves and dancing.

"The entire weekend went really well, the weather obliged and put everyone in a good mood.

"For a lot of the bands it was their first show since the start of the pandemic so it was quite emotional for them.

"Overall, the event was really well attended and the outdoor stage on the seafront was very lively all weekend. The town was busy for bank holiday anyway and people were stopping to enjoy the music. The theatre was full every night for the headlining concerts which was great."

Collection buckets were on hand at the event to help raise money to support the operation. Whilst all the money collected has not yet been counted, Mr Hayes believes they have at least broken even.

He said: "We don't know how much we were able to raise just yet, but the people of Lyme Regis are always very generous."

The opening night was headlined by multi-instrumental collaboration, the Gigspanner Big Band. Saturday saw festival favourite the Fay Heild Band return to the Marine with a night of their trademark storytelling through fiddle, concertina, guitar and banjo.

On Sunday night, the festival’s patrons brought their unique ‘Ninebarrow & Friends’ show to the festival for the third time and Merry Hill rounded the weekend off on Monday night.