A FOUR day festival has been praised as a testament to what can be achieved when the Northwich community works together.

Despite wet weather affecting the turn out on Bank Holiday Monday, organisers of Northwich Festival said overall the event was a great success.

"The Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all record breaking stuff," said organiser Sam Naylor.

"On Sunday night the heavens opened so the main day on the Monday was really affected.

"A lot of attractions we cancelled because we didn't expect the footfall but all in all it was a tremendous four-day event.

"It's a shame about Monday but you can't beat the weather."

The festival began on Friday with the Cheshire Independent Living Awareness Day (CILAD), opened by Andrew Johnson, chairman of Cheshire Centre for Independent Living (CCIL) and featuring the Dee Sign Choir, internationally-renowned opera singer Denise Leigh and an appearance by actor Steven Arnold, who played Coronation Street butcher Ashley Peacock, supporting Apex Health + Social Care.

It was followed by a Las Vegas Casino Party Night starring Neil Diamond tribute act Rob Leigh.

Saturday included a women's rugby tournament, an Amplify music festival and night of music from the Jam Town Rockers and the final gig by Northwich band Cheeky Monkey.

"It was a sell-out on Saturday night," Sam said.

"The marquee was absolutely chocka."

On Sunday there was a Help for Heroes rugby tournament dominated by Northwich teams.

Sam said: "Despite having teams from all over the north west it ended up being Northwich and Winnington Park in the final and Northwich won."

There were also more than 150 motorbikes on display in the bike show and music provided with the Rockwich Festival.

The strong man competition went ahead on the Monday, despite the weather, with eight entrants battling it out and acoustic songs filled the air in AcousWich.

The event was put together by Northwich RUFC, supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Northwich Town Council and a host of town businesses.

"I'm pleased because the festival shows what the rugby club can do and what Northwich as a community, working with companies in Northwich, can do," Sam said.

"It's tremendous what we can achieve if we all pull together."

Money raised by the event will go towards Northwich RURC's community programme, including putting rugby coaches into schools.