A string of local bands performed a mixture of covers and original material under an intense Channel Island sun. Playing a wide range of music - from grunge to death metal - young musicians blasted a dedicated crowd whose limited numbers failed to fill the enclosed walls. Yet, despite the festival's inability to fill the venue to bursting point, the chilled atmosphere was uplifting for those present.

Newvana, The Foreseen and Wild Stallions competed with the dance tent for control of the fortress airwaves. Guernsey's youthful musical talent tended to fall back on a stock of crowd-pleasing covers including Metallica's Fade to Black, Machine Head's Take My Scars, Soulfly's Bleed and Pulp's Common People. Foreseen took the plunge providing punters with a taste of their own tunes such as Envisage.

As the sun dropped from the sky the temperature plummeted but the UK-based Hamsters maintained the heat among the sweating masses.

The Jimi Hendix tribute band plucked various numbers from the 70s and 80s bag. Purple Haze provided the finale as dry ice and strobe lights drifted from the stage.

Meanwhile, seemingly a million miles away, the dance tent continued to rock to the sounds of psychadelic trance and acid techno.

Guernsey's prohibitive laws ensure the festival comes to a close at a sensible hour. Valestock's core of dedicated followers however could quite happily continue to rock till morning breaks.

Isobel belts out a prize-winning tune in the Karaoke finals

A troupe of scouts arrived in the battered interior of Guernsey's ancient Valestock Castle this morning and began the unenviable task of clearing up. Broken plastic glasses and discarded Red Bull cans were the testimony to a stonking night of hard house and techno beats that had filled the night air from 6 in the evening till 2am - tame by mainland standards but a rip-roaring once-a-year extravaganza for the islanders who made it.

Earlier on Saturday hopeful Guernsey talent had battled for a £300 prize in the 'Find a Winner' karaoke competition.

Isobel left the stage contented as she gripped her prize money. It was a fitting end to a pleasant Saturday afternoon in the Channel Islands.

As the afternoon crowds of hopeful solo performers departed along with their support crews tyhe castle began to take on a new persona.

Based on one of the island's most rocky eastern points the forfitied structure, used as recently as World War II, started to fill with a stock of locals intent on raving into the early hours. The 'Cheese-Free' Dance Tent provided the venue as scores of people rocked to the sounds of Jamie Renouf, Pat Cunningham, Dave Bichard and Louise Gaston.

Blown away: Leading man with the Keltic Kaos Krew blasts a tune

On the main stage Hamish Mc Doodle and the Kicking Keltic Kaos Krew blasted out a live performance mixing bagpipes with trance and live drum and bass.

As a thudding bass line drifted from Vale's medieval fortress into the well-kept backgardens of nearby wealthy neighbours the party continued.

For the first time Valestock will be licenced until 2am and festival-goers are celebrating. For two days a year Guernsey hosts a booming music fest - despite more conservative local concerns.

Weather

Powers that be have been contacted by various people claiming to have direct line but alas, no guarantees on meteorological conditions. Current weather conditions for Valestock found here: Central and Southern England