THE eighth Eddie Cochran festival attracted more visitors than ever before to The Olympiad, Chippenham, last weekend, with people travelling from as far as Canada and Holland.

The superb line up included Jet Harris from The Shadows, Elvis Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore, Bobby Cochran and the Big Bopper Junior.

Festival organiser John Knight said: "All the artists and visitors said it was the best festival yet and on Friday night we had double the figures we expected."

The three-day festival got off to a rocking start on Friday night with performances from The Hell Raisers, The House Rockers and the legendary Jet Harris and The Rapiers.

Saturday started with a classic vehicle cruise from Chippenham cattle market, and memorabilia stalls filled The Olympiad hall. The afternoon kicked off with The Drugstore Cowboys and live music continued into the early hours of Sunday.

Bobby Cochran and his band flew from the US especially for the concert and the Big Bopper Junior made his first ever UK appearance.

Scotty Moore and Rocky Brunette also travelled from the US and received a warm welcome.

Sunday began with another classic car cruise and then a service at St Mary's School.

The service remembered Eddie Cochran's life, as well as that of his friend and songwriter Sharon Sheeley who died on May 17 this year.

"The place was packed and about 200 came along," said Mr Knight. The service was followed by a walk up to the Eddie Cochran memorial plaque on Rowden Hill, where he died in a car accident on April 16, 1960.

The whole weekend was a huge success with over a thousand people attending the concerts on Friday and Saturday night.

Jet Harris, who toured with Cliff Richard and The Drifters and was the first British musician to play an electric bass guitar, said: "I am proud to be part of this because Eddie was a great performer."

Scotty Moore was the big draw on Saturday night and over 800 came to see him one last time.

"It will probably be his last tour as he is 70, and the crowd absolutely loved him," said Mr Knight.

Bobby Cochran was also a huge hit, and being the nephew of Eddie Cochran the festival was very important to him.

He said: "It is great to be honouring Eddie's memory because he was there at the beginnings of rock 'n' roll which has had an effect on music over the last 40 years. It is great that Chippenham puts time, money and energy to keep Eddie and his music alive.

"Rock 'n' roll is about the love of music and making a connection with people and we all get a real buzz when we get up on stage and move people emotionally.

Mr Knight said: "We attracted people from Ireland, France, Holland and even some guys on Harley Davidsons from Canada, who joined in the cruise," he said.