TEIGNMOUTH was given a welcome economic off-season boost when hundreds of jazz fans poured in from across the country, and even Europe, for the annual festival.

The weekend is now firmly established on the music calender, and an estimated 700 enthusiasts were in town for a carnival of traditional and modern jazz, despite the event clashing with the London festival.

They stayed in hotels and guest houses, ate in cafes and restaurants, drank in pubs and kept tills ringing in shops.

Many came a day early and stayed on for a day or two, and they injected thousands of pounds into the economy.

And they had a ball. Dave Phillips, chairman of the Friends of Teignmouth Jazz Festival which organises the festival, described it as 'absolutely fantastic' and reckoned it was the biggest and best yet.

'Last year was a record for attendance, but we believe there were even more people here this year.

'The two main events were sell outs, and with all the fringe events going on around the town, there was a real buzz about the place. Everybody enjoyed it, and the weather improved over the weekend after a shaky start on Friday,' Mr Phillips enthused.

Around 30 artists took part, and venues included the Carlton Theatre, the rugby club, Oystercatchers, Coast View holiday park at Shaldon, and the United Reformed Church.

Mr Phillips and his team are still totting up all the figures, but have already started planning for next year's fest.