TEAMWORK, a dogged refusal to give in to the elements - and what the organisers described as the musical equivalent to the Dunkirk spirit - saved the day for Worcestershire's premier jazz event at the weekend.

"We just had to keep going. There was never any possibility of quitting," said Upton Jazz Festival supremo Sir' Alan Buckley.

"Yes, we had quite a few worrying moments earlier in the week, but there were enough gaps between the showers to dry out the ground and make everything bearable."

The three-day homage to classic jazz at Upton-upon-Severn could have been a logistical nightmare. But stewards, volunteers and technical crews worked overtime to ensure that the 60-plus acts made it to the stages where they were due to perform on time and with a minimum of hitches.

Sir' Alan said: "Everyone has been marvellous and I would like to pay tribute to people's dedication and support.

"The venue stewards were constantly on hand to lay straw down on the walkways so that the ground didn't become too muddy."

Several thousand people from Worcestershire and further afield converged on Upton over the three days of the festival as Fish Meadow, pubs and various other venues came alive to the sounds of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton and numerous other luminaries of the Jazz Age.

Saturday morning saw a colourful parade through Upton's streets that captured the Mardi Gras atmosphere of New Orleans, a sea of umbrellas and gaudy costumes.

Then on Sunday, there was the traditional procession, which wound its way to the parish church followed by a jazz-style service.

Despite the rain, organisers believe the attendance figures compared favourably with previous years. Stallholders reported a weekend of mixed fortunes but food outlets saw a brisk trade as music fans constantly topped up their energy levels.

"This hasn't been our easiest festival, weather-wise," said Sir' Alan. "But the crowds still came and had a great weekend of jazz down by the riverside."

And the prospect for 2008?

"Even better," said Sir' Alan. There are few who won't be saying amen to that