THE hottest weekend of the summer so far meant that the audience for this year's Mapp Fest was the biggest ever.

Hundreds of people turned out to the Link Common to enjoy music from more than 40 bands and performers under a blazing sun.

The festival is the brainchild of Malvern music lover Andy Mapp, who started it with private fund-raising music events at his Bank Street home, before branching out with two festivals in the Re-Con venue in the centre of Malvern.

In 2014, he held the first outdoor Mapp Fest at the Link Common, which was so successful that the following year

it was extended over two days.

The event is intended to rekindle the spirit of free festivals held on the common during the 70s and 80s.

Mr Mapp said: "Because of ill health I wasn't able to be there on Saturday, but I recovered enough to attend on Sunday and it was absolutely amazing.

"There was a really good turn-out, although I did hear that some families stayed away because they didn't want their kids out in the hot sun.

"The PA was fantastic and the bands played their hearts out. We've also got to thanks all the volunteers for all their hard work in running the festival and clearing up afterwards and als all the neighbours, the people living around the common, for putting up with us."

One of the high points of the event was a fly-past by the Hurricane fighter plane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

"We has hoped that the Lancaster would do the flypast, but it was undergoing maintenance," said Mr Mapp

Mr Mapp said that because of his poor health, this is likely to be the last festival he will be organising, but he hopes that volunteers will carry on his work.

Money raised at the event will go to three local charities: Acorns Children's Hospice, St Richards Hospice and Malvern Community Action, although the total is not yet known.