ORGANISERS of an annual jazz festival say this year’s event has been a sell-out success.

Hundreds of music fans attended the second annual Darlington Jazz Festival, held at The Forum, in Borough Road, this weekend.

More than 15 bands from across the country played at the sell-out festival, including the Strictly Smokin' Big Band, Reckless Brass and Durham County Youth Big Band, with award-winning saxophonist, Julian Siegel, topping the bill.

The event was launched last year as a tribute to Alf Hind, the well-known Darlington musician, who died in 2011, aged 78.

Organised by Kirsty Dunn and Shaune Eland, the event showcases local talent, as well as big names in the jazz world.

Ms Dunn said: “It has been absolutely fantastic, we completely sold out for most events – we even had to turn people away for some shows because we were full.

“We started last year with local bands and we are hoping to gradually grow the festival each year.

“I’m really pleased with how it’s gone.”