RECORD STORE DAY: Vinyl music enthusiasts flock to Wax and Beans to get their hands on exclusive and limited records

Today is Record Store Day and this morning people, socially distanced, queued outside Wax and Beans in Bury town centre, some since 10pm to be first in line when the shop opened this morning.

The day, with another set to be held next month, is a celebration of the country's 200 independent record shops.

Special vinyl releases are made exclusively for the day.

People queue outside Wax and Beans for National Record Day. Picture Danny Crompton

Music lovers from far and wide travelled to the Bury store, including Harrogate, North Yorkshire and Sheffield to buy exclusive vinyl records which are supplied to independent stores.

The queue stretched from the shop on The Haymarket all the way down to Silver Street.

One commented: "There are more people queuing than outside a covid vaccination centre."

People queue outside Wax and Beans for National Record Day. Picture Danny Crompton

Mike Roberts from Harrogate had been outside the shop his wife since 4am.

As well as celebrating Record Store Day, he came to pick up the exclusive Echo and the Bunnymen album to send to his friend in New Zealand.

The store had 300 exclusive and very limited titles on sale being sold on a first come first served on the day from 8am.

Everybody in the list received a list which were collected and orders made ready.

People queue outside Wax and Beans for National Record Day. Picture Danny Crompton

Louise Jackson from the record shop said the shop had enjoyed a 'brilliant day'.

She told the Bury Times: “It was absolutely brilliant – what a crazy day.

“It was brilliant to see so many people come out and support the independent shops as well as support the music industry.

“It has been a great day."

Exclusives and limited editions which 'dropped' into record shops includind everything from Lady Gaga to AC/DC and much more, with customers ranging from ages 10 to 70-plus.

Record Store Day 2 will be held on July 17, where there will 200 titles.

As well as the shop, Wax and Bean run a hugely successful online operation, including making free local deliveries, which they set up when the pandemic struck.

Louise said: "So while having the shop shut has been a little bit difficult and a little bit sad, you don’t get to see people the community feel, we still have been able to serve all our customers by going out and doing the contactless deliveries.

“Record Store Day is a massive boost, it is really exciting because everyone is geared up for it.

“It is the anticipation as much as anything and I think it is a really good day."

She added: "There will be a huge range on July 17, there were quite a few titles which have been pushed from this drop, because they weren't ready in time to the next drop.

"I'm sure it will be another crazy day!"

Pictures by Danny Crompton