A Bromsgrove music festival has finally scooped the top prize at a national awards ceremony after being a finalist 13 times.
The organisers of The Breaking Bands Festival (BB Fest) walked away with The Grassroots Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards held in Manchester on December 5.
The award recognises the time, energy and financial commitment made by the organisers to be able to host an event that is true to their ideals and free from commercial interest.
The festival has reached the final many times across multiple categories in the past eight years so festival directors, Jay McGuire and Stacey Roberts, have been even more overjoyed to have finally been recognised.
Mr McGuire said: "The award is not just a note of recognition, it pays tribute to the local community which so strongly supports this annual event.
"The festival has sold out every single year since 2015 and has hosted more than 300 artists."
The Breaking Bands Festival has been held annually at Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club since 2015 taking place from Thursday to Monday over the Whitsun Spring Bank Holiday in May.
In 2023, there were more than 40 bands who took part with a special appearance by heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang who were performing as part of their latest album tour.
More than 500 people attended the UK Festival Awards last month with Breaking Bands being shortlisted in three categories including Best Festival for Emerging Talent, Best Micro Festival and The Grassroots Festival.
Manager at Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club, Mark Goddard, said: "Small festivals are vital for supporting the grassroots music scene.
"On behalf of the entire Breaking Bands team, I would like to thank the members of the public who nominated us for the award."
The 2024 Breaking Bands Festival will take place between May 24 and May 27.
For more information visit www.breakingbandsfestival.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here