A QUARRY near the A1 in North Yorkshire did not exactly rock when it hosted a music festival at the weekend.

Organisers had hoped up to 1,000 people would turn up for the 12-hour festival, showcasing the best musical talent the area had to offer, but despite the appearance of a mysterious crop circle in an adjacent field, only an estimated 200 made their way to Barton, just north of Scotch Corner, on Saturday.

But spokesman and organiser-in-chief, Jimmy Wilson-Petch, said it was enough to convince him there was a future for the event - and planning for next year's festival is already under way.

"I have to say that all the bands were absolutely brilliant,'' he said.

"It would have been nice to have had a few more people there, but everyone I've spoken to has told me a lot of the big events started small and the enthusiasm from those who were at Barton has been enough to persuade me we can really make a go of it next year.

"We're now thinking about running the event over two days and with more time to prepare.

"It would be fair to say we have the foundations to build on and I'm looking forward to taking it from there."

St John Ambulance will benefit from cash raised on the night, including money thrown on to the stage to persuade Geoff Harper, from Scorton, to have his head shaved.

"My hair has been over 20 inches long since the Sixties," he said.

"I said I'd have it cut off if the audience donated £100 to charity and I had to stick by my word."

* For more music news from across the region and around the world, visit www.thisisrevolution.co.uk- The Northern Echo's music website.