Maryport is buzzing as the blues festival has rolled into town.

Tonight sees The Mighty BossCats, Blackballed, the Stevie Nimmo Trio and the Ian Siegal Band take the main stage and the trail is already jumping.

Official trail venues Butchers Arms, Golden Lion Hotel, Her Citi cafe, Labour club, navy club, Netherhall Rugby Club, Phoenix Tap, the Sailor's Return and the Thomas Henry will host more than 20 artists in 40 performances over the weekend.

Debra Park, festival organiser, said: "The atmosphere is really good.

"Things are going so well, I had to go get more wristbands.

"With the sun shining people have come out to the festival. You can never say it's going to be a sell out, but it's been extremely busy.

"It's our 18th year and we've had difficult patches like everyone has, one year we had to downsize but I think we're building the festival back up.

"Maryport is a small town, people know us through the festival but we haven't got the same infrastructure as other places. But we want to do something for our town so we make a point of keeping prices low.

"We couldn't do it without the Maryport people."

Toni Magean, town centre manager, said: "Maryport this weekend is buoyant, the ambience is just lovely and people have a wonderful weekend ahead to look forward to.

"We had a town clean-up just before the festival and people have said how this helped give a good impression of the town and make it welcoming for visitors.

"It's difficult to put a figure on the footfall but we know these events bring at least 10,000 people to Maryport and that is a major boost for the town."

Elkie Brooks will headline on the main stage tomorrow night.

Debra added that everyone in town was excited.

She said: "She really is an icon of British music and we're all so excited to have her here.

"I'm sure that anyone who loves live music will come out to support the festival this weekend.

"Musicians are a very important part of the blues festival, but it's the people that make it special."

Linda Radcliffe, town mayor, said: "Everybody is buzzing for Elkie Brooks. She is one of my favourite singers.

"Maryport is absolutely gridlocked, it's wonderful to see so many people and everybody was happy to see the sun and the blues back together.

"Debra and her crew have worked really hard, there's many willing helpers and smiling faces."

The festival kicked off yesterday with a session in the marquee, on the harbour, aimed at an older audience.

Yesterday's Youth featured Frankie, whose tribute to legends including Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darwin.

Steve Falcon transported the crowd back through the decades to the 50s and 60s.

West Cumbrian singer Shelly Bainbridge presented classical pop from all decades and joined Steve Falcon to perform as Renaissance.

Paul Ryan could only be described as a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll with a smidgeon of blues thrown in.

The artists performed to an appreciative crowd, several of whom came from local care homes.

Workington's Morrisons supermarket for supplying free sandwiches to the audience.

After the professionals came the amateurs.

In an open mic session, run by local entertainer Steve Bailey, musicians had their chance to play on the main stage of the large blues marquee

The festival continues on Sunday with headliners The Blues Band, featuring former Manfred Mann member and BBC radio presenter, Paul Jones.

The town's shops have also been adding to the atmosphere by decorating their windows.

West Lakes Embroidery won the blues festival window dressing competition, run by the Love Maryport town team.