71179-102BUNTING, face paints and umbrellas were out in force as the Old Town Festival came to an impressive climax.

A 300-strong festival parade went on its merry way along the streets as young and old joined in the fun on Saturday.

Even a smattering of rain, which started to fall as Swindon MP Julia Drown opened the procession, didn't dampen the high spirits.

Excited chatter and laughter rang out around the car park near Old Town's Locarno as chimney sweeps, musicians, talking cats and dogs and other fancy dress spectacles from the Victorian era prepared for the parade.

Cousins Samuel Courtiour, seven, and Bonnie Brasier-Dinning, four, couldn't wait to get started as they took their places.

Samuel, who had dressed as a chimney sweep, said: "My mum has put bits of black make-up on my face to make me look dirty."

Festival committee member Carol Gibbon, 50, said she and her husband Danny moved to Swindon last year and were eager to help out.

She has been working from the festival office in Wood Street, helping publicise the event and making sure everything runs smoothly in the build-up.

"It's been wonderful," she said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed myself."

The whimsical sounds of yesteryear could be heard along Wood Street thanks to barrel organist Phil Webb.

Phil, from Stratton St Margaret, said people enjoyed hearing the instrument, synonymous with the Victorian period.

"You see so many people you haven't seen for years. I've lived in Swindon for around 40 years so there are a lot of faces from the past," he said.

Fencing stalwarts from Swindon Fencing Club presented a demonstration of skills, wowing crowds with their sharp reactions and expertise.

Actors from Dorcan Performing Arts group had also donned fancy dress, turning up as characters from the musical Oliver.

Kelly Sutton, 21, director of the group which meets at Dorcan Technology College, said: "I was watching the festival last year and thought it would be great to be part of it.

"I love the festival and the way it brings everyone out on the streets together."

Jazz fans were also suitably catered for as this year's Swindon Jazz Festival had been incorporated into the Old Town Festival. Swindon boasted a jazz extravaganza featuring more than a dozen performances of jazz over the 13-day festival ranging from the charismatic Lee Gibson and the Lee Gibson Quartet to the traditional 1920s classics of Debbie Arthur's Sweet Rhythm.

Ms Drown said: "The jazz festival has really put Swindon on the map. Everybody's talking about what's happening here but the best thing is that we are the ones here who can enjoy it."

And Swindon's very own Last Night Of The Proms was staged on Saturday evening in the Bowl in the Town Gardens, with the concert coming to a dramatic close with a feast of fireworks.

Yesterday there was a fair, bouncy castle and family competitions, dancing, music and a general mardi gras spirit.

Alex Emery