THE weather gods of music festivals finally shone on one of the UK's smaller gatherings when Watchet LIVE 2012 boogied its way to success last weekend.

Now celebrating its sixth year at the Parsonage Farm site, the team behind the three-day event declared it the "best ever".

And although the fine weather played a major role, organisers and festival-goers praised the brilliant atmosphere, the quality of the entertainment and attractions and the lack of any trouble.

But above all, numbers reached a new peak with at least 5,000 people visiting the site over the weekend - around 1,000 more than last year.

The festival attracted more than 2,500 campers and more than 500 daily ticket holders - an increase of nearly 50 per cent on the 2011 figures.

Jackie Bale, a member of Watchet LIVE Community Interest Company which runs the festival, said: "It was definitely the best ever.

"And it certainly made all the hundreds of hours of hard work in organising it worthwhile.

"Watchet LIVE is definitely hitting the festival circuit - people are spreading the word and coming from all over the country."

But Mrs Bale said organisers had also been pleased with the number of local people who had supported the event, as well as the increasing number of festival-goers taking the time to visit the town over the weekend.

And with the spirit of previous festivals slightly dampened by rain and high winds, Mrs Bale said the 2012 event had surpassed all expectations.

"We were so lucky with the weather. We had a little bit of rain on Friday but nothing like what was forecast.

"And Saturday and Sunday were just great.

"We knew we had sold more tickets in advance than ever before but the numbers who just came along were fantastic.

"The 2012 festival has been an absolute dream. We'd just like to thank all the volunteers who helped make it such a special event."

The crowds poured in to watch the festival's three headline acts, with top soul and R and B group The Real Thing appearing on the opening night, followed by the popular Cheeky Girls on Saturday and local legends The Wurzels providing a fitting finale.

In all, more than 100 acts took to the stages, with other highlights including a newly introduced silent disco for headphone-wearing revellers, poetry sessions, films, dance and other entertainment in the new Griffin Tent, an enlarged Prayer Tent and a bumper number of market traders.

Organisers paid a special tribute to Belfast-born singer songwriter Dan Donnelly who made it to Watchet despite his wife giving birth to their first child just 48 hours earlier.

Plans are already underway for the 2013 event, with organisers promising just a few tweaks to make the festival even better.

Details, including early bird tickets at a reduced price, will be available shortly on the festival website, http://www.watchetfestival">www.watchetfestival. co.uk.