Top singers including Fiona Bevan performed in Sudbury for an event promoting independent music shops.

Now in its seventh year in the UK, International Record Store Day celebrates the importance of independents to the music industry.

To mark the occasion Compact Music, an independent store in North Street, Sudbury, held a music day at the town’s St Peter’s Church.

Other performers included Robbie Gladwell, guitarist with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, and Adam Chinery with his band.

Fiona Bevan’s new album Talk To Strangers also went on sale at the shop during Saturday’s event, a fortnight earlier than its general release, with the support of her record label Navigator Records.

Fiona, who once worked at the shop, found fame after a song she co-wrote with Ed Sheeran, Little Things, went to number one when released by One Direction.

It is the fifth time the store has marked the day and there were more than 70 people queuing up to get into the church before the doors opened at 8.30am.

Others were up even earlier waiting outside the shop before 6am for a chance to get their hands on some of the exclusive Record Store Day goods.

But as James Morgan, co-owner of Compact Music, explains, the event is not just about promoting the store but rather the town as a whole.

Mr Morgan, who has run the shop for more than 25 years, said: “It’s an opportunity for the public to recognise the importance of independent music shops, and for us to show we value the support we get.

“It’s also a way for local artists and performers to come together and support their local shop and give something back. They give their time for free because they want to do it, not only performing but also helping set up and making the tea.

“We are particularly grateful to Fiona for her and her record company’s efforts to recognise she started up in Sudbury.

“We’re passionate about providing a platform for the future generations and there are knock-on benefits for us as a shop as people will come back regularly to visit us.

“It was a really lovely day, with a great family atmosphere, and the church was full with people standing at the back too. Some people came quite long distances.

“While we understand the internet and supermarkets are not going away there is a place for everybody, and they will not look after your town centre.

“Events like this are important for people who live and work here. They don’t have to be music, it just happens we are a music shop.

“I’d like to thank all our staff and everyone who helped pull this day together.”