Hours of pouring rain reduced Deal’s mini-Glastonbury to a wet and soggy event, but failed to stop the music for the few fans braving the showers.

The sun did come out late in the afternoon on Saturday at the Deal and Betteshanger Rugby Club’s field, but The Lions Den Music Festival was not a roaring success.

Garry Woods, who organised the annual event with Russell English, said: "Everyone there had a good time, despite the weather, and we couldn’t do anything about that. We would like to thank all those who did turn up.

"It was a wash-out and, if I hadn’t been organising the event with Russell, I wouldn’t have gone!

"People did make the best out of a bad situation though and it was the first time the event has been hit by nasty weather."

Mr Woods said the bands arrived to play, even through the rain, and the 10-hour event did get busier when the showers stopped and the sun came out.

The event at the club off Canada Road, Walmer, has grown bigger every year and the 2011 day promised to be the biggest yet.

* For full story and more pictures see the East Kent Mercury on Thursday.