Organisers of a popular music festival, set up in memory of a Lowestoft man, have hailed the start of this year's event.

About 20 bands and performers have already taken to the stage as hundreds of people have turned out for CARLfest.

The sixth annual event got under way on Friday evening at the Mariners Rest pub in Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft. With 28 bands and solo singers performing, the festival is due to finish on Monday night (August 28),

The event raises funds for the charity Care And Real Lovin' (CARL) charity, which was set up Dean 'Carl' Lawson after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Mr Lawson died five years ago, in August 2012 at the age of 37, but his selfless efforts to help people with serious and terminal illnesses are being carried on by his friends.

Darren Steger-Lewis, a trustee of Care And Real Lovin', and co-organiser of CARLfest, said: 'We had a really good first night, with a good turnout and eight acts performing,

'We raised about £600 on the first night alone and the aim is to raise £5,000.'

Since the festival began, more than £20,000 has been donated on behalf of the foundation to help people locally who are suffering financially due to ill health.'

? For more information on CARLfest, search for Care and Real Lovin' (CARL) on Facebook.