A POPULAR family friendly festival has proved a huge success after raising more than £8,000 for charity.

Woo Fest took place on Saturday, July 23, at The Drum and Monkey pub in Upton-upon-Severn and attracted a crowd of around 400 people.

Bands, including The GTs, The White Feather Collective, The Flames, The Fidgets and The Festival Experience, performed and entertained the crowd from a special stage set up in the pub's grounds.

It was the second time the festival was held after being launched last year by Worcester residents Luke and Ria Simons, who wanted to set up a music festival to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice's work supporting patients at the end of their lives.

As well as the live music guests enjoyed a hog roast, barbecue, kids play area with bouncy castle, arts and crafts and other families activities.

The entire ticket price went to the charity, and overall more than £8,000 was raised for the hospice, beating last year's fundraising by £2,000.

Mr Simons said: "It was a fantastic day and the feedback we had from bands, volunteers and customers was all brilliant.

"We were absolutely delighted to raise over £8,000.

"I’d like to thank everyone involved in making the event such a success, not least all the volunteers who worked so tirelessly and Cookie Jan’s food van who cooked all day for our customers for free.

"We’re delighted that we were able to raise such an amazing amount of money to help St Richard’s continue to care for patients at the end of their lives.”

For more on the charity visit strichards.org.uk.