WARLINGHAM'S answer to Glastonbury has won a prestigious award.
Leefest, a two-day music festival which annually attracts about 2,000 people, has been acclaimed as Best Independent Festival in the Association of Independent Music Awards.
The event has humble origins, starting as a get-together for friends in a Beckenham garden seven years ago.
It subsequently switched to fields off Highams Hill Farm, off Sheepbarn Lane, Warlingham.
Nowadays it boasts a campsite for festival goers as well as three music stages, a dance tent, graffiti wall, a massage zone and circus arena.
Among the performers have been chart-topper DJ Fresh and indie band British Sea Power, who have performed at the Glastonbury and Reading festivals.
Co-organiser David Hayes said: "We are simply over the moon to have won this award.
"It really belongs to all those who have got involved over the years, as well as those who have simply shown their love and support."
Four years ago Leefest won the grassroots section of the UK Festival Awards, presented at the Millennium Dome.
Mr Hayes added: "We believe in using our energy and enthusiasm to improve the festival every year, making it bigger and better in every way that we can – but making sure we do it at a rate, and in a way that is right for the event.
"Everybody comes together to support a good cause, creating an amazing atmosphere.
"Although being centred around young people we now have an audience of all ages."
