A TRAIN strike failed to stop crowds flocking from around the country to a new music festival inspired by Darlington’s transport links.

Last Train Home saw hundreds of people enjoy performances by 47 artists in venues situated on the doorstep of the town’s historic railway station.

On Saturday, music collective Tracks set up themed stages in a variety of atmospheric settings, from the picturesque St John the Evangelist Church to the quirky Theatre Hullabaloo and the intimate Legacy Skate Store.

The Banktop-based venues quickly filled with music lovers who enjoyed sets from nationally acclaimed bands and musicians including The Lovely Eggs, PINS, Jister and The Vulgarians at the day-long event.

Comedy fans were also catered for, with a dedicated stage hosting a variety of acts courtesy of Hilarity Bites Comedy Club.

The festival was the brainchild of the Tracks team, who aimed to organise an event that highlighted and celebrated both Darlington’s railway heritage and its position as a town that can be easily reached via public transport.

It was backed by Arts Council England and Creative Darlington, with a diverse range of organisations and individuals also lending their support to the event.

Rob Irish from Tracks thanked attendees and supporters, saying: “The festival was wonderful.

“It was a bit hectic putting it together but we had so many good hearts helping us out and it all came together in the end and felt like a dream.

“It was amazing to be able to bring artists of such calibre to Darlington - from local bands to touring artists from as far away as Glasgow and Southampton – and to let them loose in such a broad variety of interesting venues in Banktop.”

Pledging to bring the festival back to town next year, he added: “We have been overwhelmed by positive comments.

“There was a real hustle and bustle to the whole thing - with 47 artists across six venues and the freedom to pick and mix between them, people were having loads of fun skipping between venues to catch their favourite artists or discover ones they’d never seen.

"It was such a buzz and there's a lot to process, but we're definitely dead set on doing it again next year, and will soon be switching our focus to securing funding to help with that."

For more information about Tracks, visit tracksdarlington.co.uk.