WIRRAL'S 18th International Guitar Festival has celebrated its coming of age with record-breaking audiences and outstanding performances, say organisers.

Some of the world's finest guitar players descended on the borough for the three-week festival, which ran from November 7-26, and was sponsored by the Globe among others. Audiences flocked to venues across Wirral and helped achieve record-breaking results, with their highest attendances ever and many sell out shows.

Among the string-plucking stars were ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings, Nick Harper, Chicago-born Nils Lofgren, Chris Spedding, Robben Ford, Kelly Joe Phelps, Nick Harper, Guy Barker and Modjango.

Returning to the festival was Queen tribute band GaGa - whose stunning performance in front of a packed Floral Pavilion Theatre audience on November 19 earned the trio a standing ovation.

Helping some of the acts out were Wirral musicians Gary Murphy and Dean Johnson. A guitar workshop by Woody Mann closed the festival on Sunday.

Another big cause for celebration was that Essex-born guitar wizard Martin Taylor MBE, who appeared at Pacific Road on Friday night, agreed to become the festival's patron. Martin took part in the first festival and returned to entertain each year.

Looking ahead Rob Smith, the event's director hoped to build on this phenomenal success and said planning is already underway for next year.

He added: "The spectacular response to this year's festival has been the best birthday present we could possible have wished for.

"We would like to thank all the festival supporters and look forward to seeing all of them next year."

To find out what the public thought about acts in this year's festival, or if you saw one of the 26 shows and fancy writing your own review, long onto the website: www.bestguitarfest.com