BUSINESSES in Worcester are calling for people to continue to support local venues and musicians following the success of the Worcester Music Festival.

The music festival ran for three days from last Friday and during that time thousands of music fans gathered in Worcester's pubs, bars, cafes and in the high street to listen to more than 250 bands and solo artists.

In a time where pubs are still closing on a weekly basis around the UK, the festival has been praised for giving a boost to business.

Catherine Ottaway, licensee at the Paul Pry, which is based on the Butts, said: "It was great. We took part last year and this year was just as good. There was a really nice atmosphere and it's so well supported. I just hope people will continue to support local bands and pubs. We host regular live music and comedy nights. We try to keep live music in the pubs as much as possible."

Amanda Hickling, who runs regular music events at Worcester Arts Workshop in Sansome Street, said the workshop was "very busy" for the entire weekend.

"It's absolutely fantastic for us, because the festival brings people to the workshop who may not have visited before, or who hadn't even previously heard of us. We hosted a singer all the way from Belize, and everyone was up and dancing. We were so lucky with the weather. It's great to have live music in the city, it's part of our culture and it's a massive task for the organisers of the festival but it was really good."

Ray Velasquez, manager of the Firefly in Lowesmoor, said he hopes people will keep on supporting live music in the city throughout the year.

"We had a great time, and while it's unrealistic to think that the amount of people who came to us for the festival will come back every week, it would be great to see more people getting out in to Worcester and supporting their local pubs and musicians. It's all great for the city," he said.