HUNDREDS of blues fans thronged to the Valleys at the weekend for the annual Abertillery Blues Festival.

The event was staged in a marquee in Abertillery Park and featured some of the best in British and International Blues on Friday and Saturday.

Pianist MIke Sanchez and blues rock band The Hamsters were on the lineup, along with critically acclaimed UK band Giles Robson and the Dirty Aces, who returned to the festival for a second year.

American guitarist Eugene Hideaway Bridges and Colchester five-piece Hokie Joint also featured, whilst a big crowd gathered to see Newport’s teenage guitarist Luke Doherty and his band perform. Around 200 people watched the set of Cwmbran-based act Bluesy Susie.