LARGE crowds turned out to enjoy the sounds and sights of the 2017 Otley Folk Festival.

This year's event, always one of the biggest in the town's busy calendar of attractions, drew in visitors from near and far between Friday, October 15 and Sunday, October 17.

Venues across town including Korks, the Parish Church, the Courthouse and the Methodist Church Hall hosted a wide variety of musical acts over the three days.

Singer-songwriters, folk-rock acts, choral groups and protest singers were all included in the line-up, along with a wealth of street entertainment provided by Morris sides.

Organiser Steve Fairholme was pleased with the turnout.

He said: "I would say we have had more people in concerts than we have had in the last two or three years.

“There has been a little bit of a trend, generally, for some smaller festivals to not do so well, but we seem to be ahead of that.”

He added that the line-up seemed to have the right 'chemistry' and mix of bands to draw people in: “It was nice to see so many happy, smiling faces."

The festival is sponsored by Black Sheep Brewery and Otley Town Council.

Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson said: "Otley was again alive to the sound of music from all corners during what was an excellent and well attended folk festival.

"I attended on all three days and spoke to several visitors from as far afield as Essex, Suffolk and Devon who had enjoyed our hospitality.

"With the mix of local favourites and artists from elsewhere there was something for everyone and Steve Fairholme and his volunteer team are to be congratulated again on their hard work, delivering yet another successful event that boosts our town."