LAKEFEST kicks off today for its first year in Ledbury, with over 7,000 festival-goers expected to attend.

The three-day festival is being held at Eastnor Castle with Primal Scream gracing the stage for the first day (August 12).

Local residents have welcomed the move after the town lost its major festival, the Big Chill, in 2012.

A Lakefest spokesman said: "The festival will benefit local traders and bring in revenue from around the country for a long summer weekend.

"We wish to highlight the support that we have received from the local community since we announced the move in August last year."

The event will raise Ledbury's profile and give festival-goers an opportunity to experience the area's beauty, according to the spokesman.

Lee Martin, the festival's director, said: "This is our first year at the new venue of Eastnor Castle Deer Park and the businesses and people of Ledbury have made us feel so welcome.

Mr Martin described the location as 'breathtaking' and said he was humbled by residents' positive reaction to the move.

"The site looks magnificent and the backdrop is stunning. We have a few more surprises this year," he said.

Annette Crowe, an independent trader and Ledbury town councillor, said: "It's good to have a festival back as we miss the Big Chill which ended in 2012.

"The festival will bring business into the town through a knock on effect. We will sell lots of things like camping equipment and beer.

"Businesses used to do well out of the Big Chill, also people who come may not have been to Ledbury before will come back."

Ms Crowe said the Eastnor location was perfect as the surrounding hills would dampened the festival noise for neighbours.

"It's fantastic surroundings. The festival is really good news for the area, the more festivals we have the better it is for shop keepers," she said.

The festival was previously held Croft Farm, Tewkesbury, with Starsailor headlining this year's event.

We are Scientists, The Coral and Cast are just a few of the other bands which will play over the three days.

Yesterday (August 11) campers set up their tents and the band 3 Daft Monkeys took to the stage.