More than 600 local East Cambridgeshire residents attended a new music and arts festival in Soham that was headlined by 90s boyband FIVE, supported by X-Factor finalist Andy Abraham.

Viva Arts and Community Group held the family-friendly SoFest, which also included puppet theatre, face painting, graffiti and ceramic workshops, on Sunday June 2.

"The festival site was awash with smiling, shimmering, splendid painted faces and festival bucket hats," said Bev Cruxon-Lewis, charity operations and theatre co-ordinator at Viva Arts and Community Group Ltd.

"The crowd screamed for the boyband FIVE, many embracing their inner youngster.

"The day was a huge success - a friendly fun-filled festival where families relaxed and enjoyed the whole day.

"Everyone was brilliantly catered for and thoroughly enjoyed the food and drink on offer from the classic food vans including a Bedford Ice Cream Van and a Double Decker Bus Bar."

Bev added that SoFest was Viva's "first ever festival for the local community and every penny raised goes into sustaining the community arts group, so they can continue supporting and engaging with local people".

One family said they had "an absolutely brilliant day – the children were safe and entertained from start to finish; they didn’t moan once all day!”

Festival goer Laura added: “It was genuinely the most fun and relaxed day out we’ve had as a family.” There are already calls for the Festival to be repeated next year.

In addition to the funds raised for Viva, local charity Just George raised a whopping £534.

“A huge thank you to Viva for inviting us, the festival goers for their kindness and generosity, everyone spent the day smiling, raising money and awareness,” said Just George founder Lisa.

Soham Village College student Amélie also raised £332 by selling festival bucket hats towards a conservation project in Borneo.

She said: “We are extremely grateful for your support and kindness, we had the best time raising it.

"What an amazing event! It was so well organised, had a really family friendly, fun and safe feel with lots for everyone to do.

"The acts on stage were fantastic. We look forward to supporting Viva as much as possible in the near future.”

The festival was delivered with support from Soham Town Council and The Backstage Trust.