BELATEDLY the sun shone on the last afternoon of the three-day Burton Agnes Jazz Festival - and for those hardy souls who had spent the best part of two days crouching underneath their umbrellas on the manicured lawns of the hall, it was no less than they deserved.

The vagaries of the English weather apart, there was something on offer to suit all tastes, from the comprehensive 26-band line-up.

Local trio the RevRay group, led off on the main stage on Friday evening, and although heavy rain on the Saturday somewhat dampened proceedings out of doors, it eased in the early evening to allow one of the bigger name groups, Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden, to perform their usual high-quality set of standards and bossa nova.

The wide-ranging programme mixed big band and small group jazz, while the traditionalists were entertained by the swinging Dizxieland sound of the Tees Valley Jazzmen.

Elsewhere for those who sought refuge in the hall itself, there were some little gems to pick up on - for instance the brilliant electricy blues sound of the Dann Band, who brought the house down with two memorable sets, and the quirky vocalisation of piano player Jenny Bray and her supporting group.

Organisers Simon Cunliffe-Lister and Saffron Byass must have been disappointed over their luck with the weather, which obviously had an effect on the numbers attended.

But, overall, this was a well-run festival and if this standard can be maintained and better weather guaranteed, then the future can only be bright for this venture as a welcome addition to the British jazz festival scene.

• Add your comments on the Burton Agnes Jazz Festival using the form below. Registration is an easy, one-off process and your e-mail address will not be shown.