DOWNING a pint on stage and dancing in sync in an illuminated boiler suit, Will Young proved his showmanship to the delight of his Newton Abbot fans.

The honey-voiced warbler trooped out all the favourites including Your Game, Light My Fire and Changes. He donned three costumes and had time for a drink in his hour-long set.

The show at Newton Abbot Racecourse was not just about the headline act as the Wurzels whipped the crowd into a cider frenzy with their jovial banter and a bit if stripping which left the audience cheering for more.

The first South Devon Festival seemed to pass off trouble-free.

But it was a small turnout. The crowd was estimated at 1,500 by organisers who had capacity for more than 7,000.

Speaking from the site as the clear up was under way yesterday, organiser Tim Barrs said: "For a first festival when it hasn't got a track record, I think the crowd was OK. It is something to build on for the future. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

"It has been 18 months in the planning and I think it went well. There are always going to be things we can learn from. I put on something with a vision of what I wanted to see.

"The Wurzels went down an absolute storm as did Joey The Lips. The feedback has been really positive.

"Everyone seemed to be enjoying it so I'm hoping we will be able to do it again.

"A few weeks ago I did wonder if we had too many bands for one day but people said the music was great and the second stage seemed to be busy.

"From what I saw the crowd seemed to love Will Young. I only saw his second half and he was a very good showman. He held the audience and delivered the crowd pleasers to give people their monies worth."

On the main stage Ella Edmondson enchanted with her dreamlike folk music before her dad Adrian and the Bad Shepherds took to the stage to amaze with their nimble fingers. Joey The Lips got everyone grooving and in fine voice.

Stage two, although much smaller, provided an intimate affair for the crowd to rock out to the Bad Apples, Becky Falls and Soft Toy Heroes proving it was worth leaving any spot you had earmarked for the main stage.

Teignmouth's The Quails kept up their fighting spirit as the crowds deserted them to see Will Young on the main stage and declared it was their smallest gig in their history.

Many had made the journey especially to see the former Pop Idol winner.

After his first number, Will said to fans: "If anyone has a pint of beer I shall attempt to down it for your patience for waiting for us."

This he duly did after a costume change into bowler hat and red braces.

Some sound problems left the star initially looking a little uncomfortable but they were eventually ironed out and Will relaxed as he made the crowd sing to birthday girl Rachel after her husband threw a special message on to the stage.

As the skies got dark Will and his two dancers donned illuminated suits for an entertaining routine before belting out Leave Right Now and finishing with his first number one Evergreen.

It was calming finale to finish on but a serene send off.

Mr Barrs said: "It was really relaxed and chilled — a family affair, which is just what we wanted."