VOLLEYS of fireworks marked the grand finale of the first-ever Worcester Festival.

The arts extravaganza was also rounded off with appearances by Blondie tribute band Bleach and Kenny Ball's Jazzmen, featuring trumpeter Mike Cotton filling in for the ill bandleader.

The festival was made up of more than 80 events, from the Worcester CAMRA beer and cider festival to an open-air production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Commandery.

Among the events of the final weekend was an appearance by the English Symphony Orchestra.

Passionate Classics, staged at the Three Counties Showground on Saturday, was a selection of uplifting music from Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherezade to a firework-accompanied performance of Ravel's Bolero.

As well as the ESO and conductor William Boughton, the line-up featured classical guitar soloist Mark Ashford, who has previously performed with the likes of the Turin Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Sighs of relief can be heard today at Huntingdon Arts, the festival organisers, with the festival already declared a success.

"It has greatly exceeded my expectations," said festival director Chris Jaeger.

"Everyone I've spoken to has reported better audience figures than they hoped for or expected.

"With everything the Evening News has done, as well as the brochures and the AA signs, I think people would have to have had their eyes closed not to realise there was a festival going on.

But the Bank Holiday festivities across the county did not stop there.

Over at Worcestershire County Museum in Hartlebury yesterday, youngsters took part in animal antics with a range of exotic beasts, while youngsters at a Witley Court fun day could have their faces painted to look like their favourite animal.