A HARD-CORE of a few hundred revellers partied until midnight at BomFest - despite downpours which meant three stages had to be closed.

Thunderstorms threatened to wash out the event but organisers managed to save the day by shifting entertainment under canvas.

When the skies opened on Saturday evening the power went as water got in the electrics. Performances scheduled for the main stage and two other minor stages had to be pulled and it was decided it was too dangerous to reopen them after the rain stopped.

Headline act Senser arrived at the site to discover the main stage had been shut. They were unable to perform.

One of the Barnsley Original Music (BOM) organisers, Pat Crawford, said: “Rain was coming into the stage at a 45 degree angle, into the equipment. At about 6.30 we shut the main stage down to see if the rain would stop but it didn't get any better."

While the rain sent many revellers scattering for shelter some stayed at the festival, on the old Barnsley Main colliery site, Oaks Lane, and packed into the refuge of the acoustic tent.

Pat said: “There were still about 600 people knocking about. I think some went home, got changed and came back again. Everybody loved it and just got on with it."