Godiva Festival attracts record numbers to park

Crowds were treated to a variety of music acts at the festival which began on Friday

Record crowds have attended the annual Godiva Festival in Coventry over the weekend, the city council has said.

There were over 125,000 visits to the three-day free festival, which featured bands like Echo and the Bunnymen and Maximo Park, in the War Memorial Park.

Last year's event was cancelled because of boggy conditions at a cost of almost £450,000 to the council.

This year, there were 5,000 more visitors than in 2011. West Midlands Police made just one arrest.

Councillor Lynnette Kelly said the warm weather had had an impact on the bumper turnout.

'Minor drunken behaviour'

Ms Kelly said: "Attendances were well up on Friday evening and Saturday compared to previous years and Saturday in particular saw bumper crowds, with a peak of 19,000 enjoying our headliners Maximo Park."

Two years ago there were seven arrests and Ch Insp Tim Metcalfe said this year's event had been quiet in comparison.

Mr Metcalfe said: "We only had one arrest for a very minor drunken behaviour. Apart from that it was a very enjoyable three days of working.

"We expected it to be a busy weekend when we heard about the weather.

"A lot of preparation went into working with the council and other partners to make sure everyone had a safe few days."