DAWLISH Warren proved to be a more successful venue for the Spirit of the Exe festival than Exmouth.

That is according to Exe estuary officer Jenny Lockett, the event organiser.

Ms Lockett said the Warren, where this year's free festival was held on July 10, was a 'better site' than the Maer in Exmouth, where the event took place 12 months ago.

Emerging Teignmouth indie rock band the Quails headlined this year's festival.

There were also plenty of other activities/attractions for families, children in particular, to enjoy, including junk band workshops, stalls, face painting and stilt walkers.

Simon Broom, chairman of the Warren Tourism Group, had already labelled the day 'a good all round success' - despite the windy conditions playing havoc with the gazebos.

Ms Lockett said: 'It was a better site than the Maer in Exmouth. It was more accessible for a start and, as the whole event is about celebrating the Exe estuary, we were closer in that sense this year.

'Also, the event was more visible in Dawlish Warren – it was easier for people to see what was happening.'

Ms Lockett said the event had attracted more people than the previous year.

She added: 'There were about 400 people on site at any one time and a good couple of thousand overall. It was very successful.'

With organiser the Exe Estuary Management Partnership intending to rotate the festival between different towns and cities along the estuary, Exeter is the intended location next summer.