THERE may have been the rival distractions of the World Cup Final and Glastonbury, but for sheer carnival fun, Worcestershire's Upton-upon-Severn was the place to be this weekend.

This year's Oliver Cromwell International Jazz Festival - the 17th - set the town alight once more to the sounds of classic jazz, swing, Dixieland and Hot Club.

But there was an added ingredient that poured a high-octane fuel on to an already raging inferno of red-hot jazz. And it can be summed up in a single word. Lamarotte.

This Holland-based band have been firm festival favourites for several years - but this bunch of extroverts excelled themselves this time. They drove the fans crazy.

They're a street festival band and it shows. But they also have plenty of jazz credentials, enough to avoid getting up the noses of the purists. For more than any other outfit at Upton this weekend, Lamarotte was responsible for transforming what is always a pleasant session into a riotously joyous event.

But for those seeking respite from the lunacy of bands such as Lamarotte and comedy stalwarts Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band, there was plenty of choice. From the subtle textures of classic jazz-based units such as those fronted by newcomers Joan Viskant and Joy Parke, to the exuberance of the hard-driving Warren Vache Quartet and the low-down blues of Denise Lawrence, this was a weekend of stark contrast.

The Saturday morning New Orleans-style parade was a kaleidoscope of colour and spectacle, and the next day, gospel-tinged contributions from Cate Cody provided poignancy and authenticity to the traditional Sunday morning service at the Parish Church.

Elsewhere, it was action from morning until night. From the Talbot to the Fish Meadow, from the Severn Bridge abutment to the King's Head patio, sleepy Upton did everything but slumber.

Although the wind never dropped, and rain made a late appearance on Sunday evening, the sun had his jazz hat on and showed a smiling face occasionally. And festival organiser "Sir" Alan Buckley was well-pleased.

He told the Evening News: "This was one of the best-ever festivals, after several years of bad weather. We've seen an increase of ticket sales on previous years with Friday being an all-time record."

Would it be true to say that while the festival no doubt intended to stay true to its roots, an eye was being kept on the future, particularly with regard to younger generations?

"The new bands have done well. You've got to move with the times, so that is why we've incorporated a strong jump-jive section and strengthened the Hot Club sessions. However, while the aim is to keep the festival traditional, we must nevertheless cater for all jazz fans and keep an eye on trends," added "Sir" Alan.

The success of this policy manifested in the number of young people at this year's festival, possibly attracted by groups such as the Chase Big Band and the phenomenally versatile Brasshoppers.

One last word from a punter found sitting happily with his wife in the Jazz Garden listening to Joan Viskant.

"We retired seven years ago and moved to Malvern. We can't believe our luck with all the music that goes on in Worcestershire and that is why we'll spend the rest of our days here quite happily," he said.

You can't say fairer than that.