Music fans have given Canterbury’s slimmed-down Lounge on The Farm festival a massive thumbs up.

Organisers held the showpiece music event over just a single day instead of three days but aficionados reckon its intimate feel was an improvement on those of the last few years.

After a torrential overnight downpour in Canterbury, the clouds melted away just before noon on Saturday bathing the Merton Farm venue off the Nackington Road in warm sunshine.

Daniel Derham, 32, from Canterbury was among those at Lounge, now in its ninth year.

He said: “We’ve been almost every year and this time it really feels like it’s gone back to its roots and how to it was when it first started.

“It’s just got a really nice relaxed atmosphere.”

Lounge features a main stage where headline act Fun Lovin’ Criminals rounded the festival off late on Saturday.

Other performers included saxophonist Courtney Pine, The Subways, Peter Hook and The Light and the Dub Pistols.

Ageing hippies mixed with young hipsters and families as everyone enjoyed a mellow afternoon.

Later in the day, music became the over-riding focus of the festival.

Nurse Jackie Moskovits and her partner John Mitchell, a retired teacher, have been five times before.

Dressed as clowns, the couple were enjoying Ashford band The Intermission Report on the main stage in the early afternoon heat.

Jackie, 55, said; “It’s much more chilled out than it was last year. It’s gone back to being a real family do as well and it’s nice to see so many kids here.”

Many of the acts have strong ties to Kent - such as The Doctorates, Coco and the Butterfields and rapper Sam Sure, who comes from Canterbury.

“That’s why I love Lounge so much,” said Blossom Edwards, 36.

“It’s our local festival with local acts performing. And when it’s all over I can go back to my own bed to sleep.”

As well as beer tents, revellers could enjoy poetry readings, face-painting and juggling.

There was also food from across the globe including pizzas, curries and burgers.

Organiser Sean Baker said: “We felt it went very well – even though it was a bit strange squashing it all into one day.

“In previous years we have started on a Friday and then worked through any problems we had after that. But with the one day, it doesn’t give you much thinking time.

“But it go well and this is very much the format we’ll be using for the coming years.”

The organisers have not made a final count of how many tickets were sold.