IT is difficult to pinpoint one single thing that made the Indietracks Festival such tremendous fun.

It could have been Tracey from the Primitives bringing some glam to the proceedings dressed in a black satin jacket, short black dress and immaculate make-up.

It might have been the couple that chose the signal box at Butterley Railway Station as their marriage venue yesterday morning.

It could also have been that no one batted an eyelid that a pony-tailed, middle-aged man spent all of Saturday wandering around the site in a purple dress.

But for me what summed up this year's Indietracks, which ended yesterday, was the smile on the face of a beautiful blind girl as she danced to crowd favourites Allo Darlin' on Friday night.

With shocking pink hair, matching ball dress and a grin to light up Derbyshire, the joy she was experiencing permeated the entire event. Everyone was smiling.

Now in its fourth year, Indietracks showcases lesser-known indie bands from across the world to a knowledgeable public.

When 150 people turned up for the first event at Ripley in 2007, organiser Stuart Mackay could never have dreamed that numbers would increase tenfold in just four years.

"Last year I hardly saw any bands playing because I was doing so much of the organising, sorting things out for everyone," he said.

"This year I was far more relaxed and got the chance to see a few of them.

"Allo Darlin' are always great, but I really enjoyed the Smittens, Antarctica Takes It! And The Parrallelograms who filled in last minute after a band was forced to cancel."

Groups from as far afield as New Zealand, the USA, Spain and Sweden descended on Derbyshire for this year's event. The most local were Nottingham five-piece Red Shoes Diaries, who opened on the main stage on Saturday with a host of Beach Boys-style melodies.

Leanne Narewski, co-singer and keyboard player, said the band were nervous about opening but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"It was fantastic to see people dancing at the front and others sat up on the hill tapping their feet," she said.

"This was by far the biggest crowd we have played in front of and it was great."

On the same stage Spaniards La La Love You bemused a stunned audience with their energetic pop-punk dressed in effeminate pink satin jackets.

Leeds-based five-piece This Many Boyfriends put on a shambolic performance with out-of-tune guitars and vocals but neither they nor the audience cared two hoots.

And if you wanted a break from the crowds, you could take a train ride through the rolling countryside.

Derbyshire should be very proud of its own, little-known, but ever-expanding festival. Roll on next year.