Sets, mud and rock and roll at Osfest 2012

Music fans were singing in the rain as Osfest became a mudbath after the heavens opened.

The three-day event kicked-off on Friday night at Park Hall, near Oswestry, when Britain's Got Talent finalists Loveable Rogues took to the stage for a lively set.

It continued throughout the weekend with top acts including Razorlight and Hard-Fi as well as rapper Dappy from N-Dubz and singers Loick Essien and Delilah.

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Organisers of the festival, which is in its third year, estimated there were about 5,500 people over the weekend, despite heavy rain soaking the showground on Saturday night and Sunday.

Carly Jackson, event director, said: "Osfest has proved a wet but wonderful start to the festival season. We kicked the weekend off with a rousing performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and our Saturday headline act, Dappy, played to a packed crowd.

"We were thrilled to welcome Razorlight this year to wrap up yet another successful Osfest."

The rain caused the main arena and many walkways around the showground to turn into mud baths.

Stuart Oldfield, 29 years old, came from Manchester to see Razorlight and Hard-Fi. He said: "It has been a bit wet. I wish I brought some wellies with me. It wasn't too bad when I got here – but it got worse as time went on."

Lizzie Williams, 22, from Oswestry who works at the Orthopaedic hospital in Gobowen, added: "The festival went well considering the weather."

Revellers were invited to take part in a silent disco or a roller disco, which organisers said proved popular, and local unsigned bands were also been selected to play at the event.

Fair rides, inflatables and a number of food and trade stalls were dotted across the site and there was a special area set aside for babies and their parents.

Sara Thomas, 21, from Oswestry, a teaching assistant at Meadows Primary School, arrived at about 10am on Saturday morning with a friend.

"I've been every year so far," she said. "It has a really good atmosphere."

Meole Brace School pupil Phil Wright, 15, from Shrewsbury was at her first Osfest and declared: "It's great – well worth the rain."

Teacher Sebastian Burrows, 25, travelled from Milton Keynes after he and his friends saw it advertised on the internet.

"We were looking for festivals and found this one," he said.

"We have been camping over the weekend and have had a great time."

Jonathan Humphreys, 32, an accountant from Wrexham last went to the festival two years ago.

He said: "I was quite impressed with Lovable Rogues who performed on Friday night, they were quite interesting."

Megan Wilkinson, 16, from Llanfyllin, added: "Osfest has a great vibe, a good atmosphere."

Singer Delilah, who was dressed in a sparkly top and thigh-high black boots for her performance, said: "Osfest is a great festival and there are a lot of cool young acts here. I am really happy to be part of it.

She added: "It is sad about the weather but the crowds seemed to have good fun."

Stooshe band member Courtney Rumbold said: "We have never been to Shropshire and are excited to start the festival season at Osfest."

The event was sponsored by Levi Roots soft drinks and Roots, known for his appearances on Dragon's Den with his Reggae Reggae Sauce, played on the main stage during Saturday afternoon before giving a cooking demonstration later in the day.

He said: "I had a fantastic time out there on the stage, it blew me away."

Sunday night saw sets by Hard-Fi and headliners Razorlight. Richard Archer, frontman for Hard-Fi thanked fans for coming despite the weather, saying: "You guys deserve a medal for sticking it out."

Johnny Borrell from Razorlight also thanked fans for staying to see their set.

Shropshire Councillor Joyce Barrow said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved with Osfest."

David Preston, from Oswestry Town Council, added: "It has become a major event. We are lucky to have such a wonderful series of events during the summer."