Hospitality and tourism businesses received a boost as the Cheltenham Jazz Festival enjoyed a record-breaking year.

More than 30,000 visitors and locals flocked to Cheltenham to celebrate jazz in all its diversity over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Occupancy rates in local hotels, B&B's and guest houses have reported solid booking figures throughout the event, with the festival also bringing a boost to local pubs, clubs and restaurants.

More than 90 free gigs took place all over the town, in the pubs, clubs, streets and shopping centres of Cheltenham.

Belinda Hunt, operations manager for Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID), said: "I was in town on Saturday and there were so many people enjoying the music as part of their visit.

"The bars in Cambray Place and Montpellier were delighted to welcome extra customers throughout."

Festival director Ian George added: "We issued just under 30,000 tickets and over 15,000 people enjoyed free gigs in our 'around town' programme.

"Another 15million people will have heard music from Cheltenham over the last six days on national BBC radio shows."

BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music broadcast 12 hours of live radio from the festival, including concerts from Jack Savoretti and Friday Night is Music Night.

International artists included jazz legend Chick Corea, performing the only UK date on his spring tour, Ben Folds flying in just for Cheltenham and soul giant Booker T Jones.

On Clare Teal's radio show, acclaimed singer Gregory Porter said: "The Cheltenham Jazz Festival creates this extraordinary artistic village.

"It's a really amazing, beautiful place. It's small, yet big, yet cool, yet not too slick."

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