Helston rocked at the weekend at its annual charity music festival that goes from strength to strength each year.

Taking place at the Blue Anchor over three days, from Friday through to Sunday, this year's Helstonbury raised more than £10,000 for charities, groups and individuals in the area.

Al Rideout, one of the three main organisers with Paul Turton and Simon Stone, said: "It was a very successful event. We were overrun with people and bands wanting to come and perform."

Musicians gave their performances for free, coming from as far afield as Peterborough to take part, with more than 50 of them in the 2016 line up.

The festival always includes young musicians in its line up, with Mr Rideout adding: "Some of the lead people playing were once the young people 15 years ago."

Past alumni of the festival include a drummer who went on to perform alongside George Michael in the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics and musicians who are now members of Ben Howard's band.

New for this year was a 'silent disco' in the lower beer garden on Saturday, while the following day saw the return of the third Helstonbury Sunday service, ministered by RNAS Culdrose chaplains Rev Andrew Corness and Tudor Botwood and supported by HMS Seahawk Military band and the RNAS Culdrose Military Wives Choir.

This year's event was dedicated to the memory of John 'Papa' Roche, who together with his wife Pat attended every Helstonbury since it started in 2001 before his death aged 82 in February.

Mr Rideout thanked all the bands for coming to perform and donating their time, adding: "Without the bands, well that's what it's all about. We can't thank them enough, it's amazing they come and do it. And thank you to the people that come and support it each year."

Now in its 17th year, the event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and groups.

Recent donations include paying for a new floor for Swallows Gym on the Water-ma-Trout industrial estate.

Last year the fund bought a large fridge freezer for the Wesley Hall kitchen area below Helston Methodist Church, to help with the various meals they provide including for the elderly of the town and the homeless. Mr Rideout said that there were now plans to fit out the kitchen further with another Helstonbury grant.

Anybody wanting to put themselves or a deserving cause forward for a grant can visit helstonbury.com or the Helstonbury Facebook page, or drop a letter into the Blue Anchor pub.