City Roots brought more than 20 bands, almost 30 acoustic artists, and dozens of DJs and cabaret performers together at The Embankment, in Peterborough, for a two-day extravaganza.

But while the quality of the acts drew praise, the smaller-than-expected audiences were a disappointment.

About 1,000 people went through the gates on Saturday, and just 400 had arrived by mid-afternoon yesterday.

Karen Pincham is events and community arts officer for the city council, which organised the festival in partnership with arts collective, Muddy Promotions.

Speaking yesterday as dark clouds threatened a downpour, she said: "It is quite quiet – perhaps the weather has put people off.

"But we've had good feedback from the people here."

The chairman of Muddy Promotions, Moony, said he would have preferred the festival to have been free to visitors. But he added: "That would have meant spending a lot of time looking for sponsorship. We would have needed £50,000 to have put this on.

"It would be lovely to have more people."

Billed as a successor to the former Willow Festival, City Roots saw up-and-coming local bands such as The Brays on the main stage. Other highlights included American "modern day one-man-band", Joe Driscoll.

A performance by Hamfatter, who appeared on the BBC's Dragons' Den, was also keenly anticipated.

Helen Harris (29), from Dogsthorpe, said: "I think the weather has affected it.

"From what we've seen the music has been really good, £6.50 is not much to pay for the day and £10 for the weekend is great value."

Muddy Promotions will host Grassroots music and arts festival on September 5 to 7 at the Plough pub, in Farcet Fen.

More details on www.thegrassrootsfestival.co.uk