Almost 20,000 festival-goers descended on Maidstone this weekend for the town's first Ramblin' Man Fair.

The two-day festival brings rock and country music to Mote Park and is one of the biggest events the town has seen recently — on the same scale as the Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2008.

Organised by The Rock Collective – Abbie Marshall and Gary Turner – it will also bring glamping to the park, off Mote Avenue, for the first time.

Ms Marshall said: “We came to Maidstone and we thought ‘wow’ – Mote Park is a fantastic location. We never get a park like that in a town centre. We usually have a huge problem with transport, but it has amazing transport links, and people are right in the centre of things if they want to have a wander around.”

Crowds on Sunday were met with adverse weather but didn't let it dampen their spirits, instead rushing to the festival's beer tents for shelter.

The day also saw iconic solo artist Seasick Steve and prog rock legends Marillion perform.

Starting on Sunday, Willington Street, which borders Mote Park in places, is set to be closed due to through traffic. It is a main route for people trying to connect between the town and the A20/M20.

Today there was some traffic congestion around town and the Leisure centre, but no signs of road - or pavement rage - as music fans made their way in small groups towards the site.

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Ms Marshall added: “The glamping is a first for us. This is a new festival in Maidstone and we don’t know how it will be received by local people but this is a long term thing for us and we very much want to work with local people on it. We have worked alongside the council with this, and they have been supportive since day one.”

The festival brings some of the biggest names in rock and country to Maidstone, including Scorpions, Marillion, Camel, American blues artist Seasick Steve, who already has a Kent following, heavy metal band Saxon and American rockers Blue Oyster Cult.

Other acts include The Temperance Movement, Blue Pills, and Jess & the Bandits. The event will also include food stalls, a beer festival and music cinema.

It will have several stages, with two camping areas – glamping will be within the Mote Cricket Club area, while other camping will be at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood – and will take 10 days to set up.

Ramblin' Man gates open at midday with music starting at 1pm both days.