ONE of the region’s top festivals last night kicked off with a lively mix of music and a night sky that was lit up by fireworks.

More than 2,500 people packed into the historic Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds to mark the official start of the town’s three-week annual festival.

Madness and Queen tribute bands took to the stage for a performance sponsored by the EADT.

This year is the 25th for the festival and acts during the cultural showcase range from well-known figures such as soprano Lesley Garrett, comedian Ade Edmondson and the band The Dubliners to less well-known acts such as Mbawula, the Stan Tracey Octet and Monica Vasconcelos.