MORE THAN 8,000 people enjoyed the annual Steelhouse rock festival in Ebbw Vale over the weekend.

Organisers described it as the most successful year of the annual event, which is in its fifth year, with thousands of fans enjoying the UK’s highest outdoor music festival at Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm in Cwm.

Rock fans enjoyed almost perfect weather conditions for the Welsh International Classic Rock Festival yesterday, before battling against the wind and the rain today.

Headliners UFO and Twisted Sister's Dee Snider, and special guests Y&T and Tyketto, along with 'Queen of Metal' Doro, Nazareth, The Treatment, Massive Wagons and Florence Black all wowed thousands of fans.

Trucker Diablo, Henry’s Funeral Shoe, No Hot Ashes, Skam, FM, Colour of Noise and Wild Lies completed the line-up.

Speaking on Sunday Sally Anne Evans, one of the co-founders of the festival, said it had been a “brilliant year” with people attending from across the country.

“It’s been our most successful year in terms of ticket sales to date,” she said.

“It was fantastic on a day like Saturday as that’s where you can see the event has really grown with lots of members of the public and bands.

“When the sun comes out you can just see a field full of people with smiling faces.

“It was a really successful day and the atmosphere was amazing.”

She added that despite the rain rock fans also enjoyed the atmosphere in Sunday.

“We have been dealing with the elements, but everyone has been singing and supporting the whole set and it went well."

She added that one person had travelled from Australia for the festival, whilst others had come from across the UK as many were desperate to see their favourite bands.

“We have had a few bands on the bill this year that have been on the wish list for the last couple of years,” she said.

“The top of the bill has been supported by up and coming bands and, where possible, Welsh bands as it is a good opportunity to give them exposure.”