THOUSANDS of music lovers came from near and far to join in the ninth Otley Black Sheep Folk Festival, declaring the event a resounding success.

Business was booming for the pubs and shops in the town and the word on the street was that this was the finest festival yet.

Sam Strangeways managed to grab a few

festival-goers in between songs to find out if they were enjoying themselves.

Local lady Anita Walker, 48, a teacher from Otley, said she was attending the festival as part of the morris dancing troupe Wayzgoose.

"We always come to the folk festival and this year's event seems to be going really well," she said.

And such was the lure of the event that 67-year-old Ken Mackinnon travelled all the way down from the Black Isle in Scotland. He said: "I came to Otley about four years ago and really enjoyed it so I've brought the caravan and come back to see some of the same acts."

Another visitor from up north was Wullie Martin, 54, of Lanarkshire.

The seasoned festival-goer had brought his tent along and was joining in the impromptu singing

sessions at the Black Horse hotel "I go to as many

festivals as I can - they're great," he said."Otley is certainly one of the friendliest I've been to. My wife says I'm too old for them but I just keep going!"

For him, the festival meant more than just a knees-up in the pub. "The music being played here is actually an important social history documenting events that would otherwise be forgotten," he said.

The Bellman of Otley, Paddy Steval, 73, was also found enjoying a drink or two in The Woolpack.

"It's been a really good festival this year. It's the ninth one and long may they continue - I think it's excellent for the town."

For some the festival meant equal amounts of hard work and fun. Mary McHarrie, a barmaid at the Black Horse Hotel, said she had been rushed off her feet.

"The festival is really good for all the pubs in town. It's hard work but it's worth it."

Edith Bates, 57, a barmaid at The Woolpack, agreed.

"I'm a folkie myself and I love it when the festival comes to town. The atmosphere in the town is wonderful - its just so lively. And of course its great for

business too."

Stall holders at the Civic Centre craft market said this year's event was every bit as lively as last year's.

Roz Rudkin, whose stall offered home-made beeswax products, said she and her husband had been determined to get to the event.

"We have come a long way as we live near Bridlington but we managed to get petrol and it has definitely been worth our while.

"It's a really friendly festival and we treat is as a social event as much as anything else."

And finally, for those who put the show together, there was a sense of satisfaction that all the hard work had paid off.

Organiser Richard McFarlane said he was delighted with the weekend. "Despite the horrible weather on Friday lots of people turned up to the live music events," he said. "It's hard to say exactly how many people come to the festival but it's probably over 3000."