THE best in years.

That is how organisers have hailed this year’s Colchester Cricket Festival after an estimated 10,000 people turned out at a sun-blessed Castle Park to watch five days of top quality excitement from Essex.

The weather was kind for once and the team turned out some thrilling action on the pitch with a nine-wicket LV County Championship win against Surrey followed by a final-ball defeat by Worcestershire Royals in the Natwest Pro-40 League.

“In terms of people who came along, it has been one of the best I can remember,” said Malcolm Rowley from the Colchester Festival commitee.

“It was the biggest first-day crowd I have ever seen and local estimates put the figure at 2,500, which was amazing.

“The fact that Ravi Bopara and Mark Ramprakash played after they had both been involved in the Ashes speculation all helped boost interest as well, and the great win for the team in the Championship game against Surrey helped with Sunday’s crowd.

“People have put a rough estimate that 3,500 people were there on Sunday, which was marvellous.

“The really inportant thing was the weather, though, and for the first time in years, we were blessed with the best weather.

“We have been unlucky in that direction in recent years, but it was really magnificent.

“I think this year compares very favourably with other years, especially with the attendances for the Championship game as we haven’t had attendances like that in the last five or six years, that is for sure.

“It it certainly the best I have known it since 2000 and I would think that it can only help when the Essex committee are reviewing the future of the festival.

“Each year it has to be looked at and if it doesn’t make a loss it shows it is worth keeping it going.

“If the weather had ruined five days of cricket we would be looking at a loss so we rely on the support of local people and they certainly did us proud.

“Hospitality was down in numbers due to the credit crunch, but we were able to make sure not so much in revenue.

“I’m sure the Essex general committee will look on it and be very pleased with the outcome.

“They have always wanted to bring the sport out around the county and while the practicality of it can be difficult sometimes, this year proves the number of people who are interested in the Colchester area.”

With Essex on a roll and candidates for promotion, it could be that Castle Park hosts division one cricket next season.