Tigers, lions, fairies, Darth Vader, pirates, parrots and knights were among the crowds at Solfest today.

Saturday is usually fancy dress day at the music festival and people at the event did not let the tradition down.

Sian Price, Christine Kelly, David Simpson and Will Graves, of Cleator Moor, were tigers.

They are regulars at Solfest. Sian said: " We love coming here and always dress up. Tomorrow we're going to be pirates."

David added: "It's a great festival, really family friendly. We love the atmosphere."

Popular children's entertainer Professor Pumpernickel, who performed in the Jungle children's area today, even had his own fan club as around 15 people from Preston all arrived dressed up as him.

And a group of people from Barrow came as characters from Star Wars, including several Princess Leias.

Dean Whitehead, of Maryport, was at the festival with his two children. He said: "My two daughters have had a great time, there's lots for them to do. It's the first time I've been since the festival was changed last year and I really like it. The Electric Village, with lots of different dance areas is a great idea and works well. It's clever."

Organisers pride themselves on Solfest offering festival-goers an experience and around every corner there is a surprise waiting - from site art that includes word sculptures, Aztec-style heads and a huge Newton's cradle , to small unexpected stages filled with acts like the Deatbeats, whipping up audiences into a frenzy with their drumming.

The mix of music on the nine official stages offered something for everyone today. Highlights included Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus, who had the bar stage audience baying for more, Drum Machine on the Drystone Stage and DJs in the House of Joy who kept the tent bouncing all day - and night - long.

As the sun sets on the festival, hundreds of people are still enjoying themselves and will continue until the small hours of tomorrow, before grabbing some sleep and starting again tomorrow.

On Friday, families lazed in the sunshine while friends cme together to enjoy the good weather and music played during the opening day of music festival Solfest.

The three-day event at Tarns, near Aspatria, kicked off yesterday in style with a relaxed atmosphere as festival-goers of all ages converged on the site.

One of the busiest areas was the Jungle kids area, where youngsters took part in workshops, games, activities and races.

Andrew Threfall and his baby daughter Florence were having a great time. Andrew said: "It's brilliant and so family-friendly."

Older children have been catered for this year as well, with the Trailer Trash Youth Club, aimed at teens with graffiti workshops, beatbox and rapping workshops and babies and toddlers are offered a safe haven in the Baby Chill tent.

The festival, which boasts nine stages, already had people dancing yesterday afternoon. DJs in the House of Joy dub and reggae tent, disco beats in the Love Shack, the unique Melodrome Stage with group Montana Wildhack and the folk melodies of Scrogan's Run were putting early birders in the right mood for the weekend.

Acts during the first day included Dreadzone, Riot Jazz, Tantz, Cindy and the Bullets and Dubwild.

Alex Bsbenko, 15, Josh Preston, 16, and Harry Preston, 15, of Kirkbride, arrived at Solfest at around 11am. Josh said: "It's a lovely atmosphere both in the festival field and on the campsite. We're really looking forward to the weekend."

Solfest caters for all age ranges and older people were sitting or lying around the field, soaking up the sun and listening to music.

Kate and Jon Plimmer, of south Cumbria, had just arrived. Kate said: "It's our first Solfest. We probably don't look like festival-goers but we really liked the look of the event. We're really enjoying ourselves. It's great."

Tich Heron, Cathy Ellwood, Paul Sloan and Neil Jones, of Workington, are regular festival-goers and Cathy said Solfest was among their favourite and one they always made sure they attended.

Tich, who dresses up at festivals as Tiderman, in an outfit made out of cider boxes and who has become a fixture at events, added: "I'm only slightly disappointed this year as there's no Solway Cider on tap."

There are however, a large range of real ales from Cumbrian breweries, including Workington's Tractor Shed, and a host of food vendors offering everything from ostrich burgers and goat curry to chips and Belgian waffles.

The weather forecast promises that the sun will shine on Solfest all weekend as big name acts like Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club play alomgside Cumbrian bands Fat Albert, D'Bleedin Blaggards, the Hoochie Coochie Moonshine Band, Hardwicke Circus and DJs like Deaf Eric.