Folkstock festival, which was held at Aldenham Country Park in September, reached the finals of the UK Festival Awards for Best New Festival last week.

Helen Meissner, festival organiser, said: "Being nominated by the public was very exciting and makes all the hard work worthwhile.

"Even though we didn't get any further, looking round the room I realised how very privileged we were to get this far, and this recognition has been a real boost for all the 77 musicians who played at the festival, as well as those who gave their time freely to bring it to life."

The Folkstock Arts Foundation, which organised the event, was also a finalist in the Hertfordshire Business Awards in two categories - Business Person of the Year and Best Business in the Community.

The foundation has also set up a boutique record label and an agency to promote the talents of many of the artists who performed at the festival, over half of whom were from the local area.