Nearly 1,000 people saw in the New Year at an event in Tunbridge Wells.

The inaugural Hug-Many event planned to be one of Kent's biggest public New Year's Eve celebrations.

It included live music, fireworks at midnight, a piper to pipe in 2015, food and drink.

Following the success of the evening organisers are now hoping to make it an annual event.

Hug-Many was the brainchild of Ian Andrew, to raise money for the Hospice in the Weald at
Pembury and the Pickering Cancer Drop In Centre in Tunbridge Wells.

He said: “I always knew it would be fantastic to have a public New Year’s Eve event on the Pantiles – it’s the perfect setting – and to be able to raise funds for such great charities at the same time was my motivation.

"But to have such a brilliant response from the people of Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sussex in the first year was amazing.

“We also had fantastic support from companies and individuals in the town who provided sponsorship and volunteered on the night, and I want to say a massive thank you to them.”

The headline act was the Blues Brothers Little Brother tribute act. Brazilian, Cuban
and African rhythms were provided by drum band Bloco Fogo, with rock and roll classics from Jokin’ Apart and solo performances from singer/guitarist Lorraine Hartfield and Charlotte Bartholomew.

DJ Simon Padley kept the crowds entertained between the acts. 0

BBC South East’s Ian Palmer compered the evening, he said: “It was the perfect way to see in the New Year.

“The music was fantastic, the fireworks spectacular and the atmosphere was buzzing. And
to raise money for these amazing charities at the same time made it extra special.”

Polly Taylor of the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre added: “Ian Andrew has had a long-term vision for Hug-Many and pulled it off despite set-backs that would have made many people give up. We are so grateful for his determination. He has created an amazing event for the people of Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area, and a fantastic boost for our two charities.”

The owner of The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Julian Leefe-Griffiths, lent his support to pull Hug-Many together he commented: “It was an amazing way to see in 2015 – better than I dreamed possible.

"In fact we were taken a bit by surprise by how well Hug-Many captured the public imagination, it was a great deal of work to put on, but so worth it, and it showed how much of an appetite there is for an event of thiskind in the town. We hopefully will be able to make it even bigger and better next year.”