MORE than a dozen top ukulele acts came to a Hampshire city for its first ever ukulele festival.

Around 400 people descended on Winchester rugby club to see a number of seasoned professionals perform.

From an alternative form of folk to sing-along classics, the crowd could enjoy listening to something unique from each act.

But the ukulele community got together to enjoy more than just live music, with a competition for amateur bands and workshops taking place.

Phil Doleman, one of the more established artists who performed at the event, said: "The great thing is all these festivals are all completely different, they all have their own little thing.

"At this festival there’s learning, there’s playing, there’s all this community stuff, I think this is fantastic and the first one too so hopefully on to bigger and better things"

With more tickets sold than were originally allocated Andy Martin, one of the lead organisers, felt the day was a huge success.

He said: ‘I think it’s been brilliant, it’s far exceed anything we thought it was going to be.

"I think we’ll have to do this again next year, all the feedback was really positive so we are forced to do it again "There were a lot people who came who don’t play but they still enjoyed it and had a great time."

Report by Sam Waddington