Hundreds of people flocked to a country park in Aldenham to enjoy beer, burgers and banjo music.

Today was the first time the Folkstock Festival had been held at Aldenham Country Park and visitors were treated to a mixture of acoustic, folk and roots music from 70 musicians.

Almost half of the acts were from the local area and headliners included Lucy Ward, Kris Drever, Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, Marina Florance and Reg Meuross.

Karen Gardiner, the vicar of St Nicholas Church in Elstree, organised a Messy Mass which provided activities for children.

She said: “It’s been really great so far and my four-year-old and one-year-old have been having a really lovely time.

“We wanted to do a Messy Mass because it seemed to fit with the ethos of the event and it kids really enjoy it.

“This is away for us to engage with the community and spread the message of the church in a different way.”

Emma Allen, who was volunteering at the mass, added: “Earlier we had two children start crying because they had to leave which I guess is a good thing.”

The day saw local breweries selling real ale and range of stalls and street vendors selling food to order including pizza, crepes, cakes and a vintage tea tent.

Phil Rainey had travelled all the way from High Wycombe to support his wife, who was performing in a band.

He said: “The event has been really good so far especially because they have good beer and really good crowd.

“All the bands I’ve seen so far have been really excellent and everything seems to have been really well organised.”

Organiser Helen Meissner said the event would the stepping stone for many of the unsigned bands.

She said: "This festival will be a stepping stone for the many unsigned independent musicians and I am sure that most will go on to gain the recognition and boost they need to break into the national consciousness."