ONE of the most successful Old Town Festivals will culminate this weekend with events on the Lawn and in the Town Gardens.

The 13-day event showcases the best in culture and history that Old Town and Swindon have to offer.

Festival chairman Neil Butters said: "We are all very pleased with how it has gone. This year is an extended festival and there has been much interest in all of the events, particularly the ticket sales for some of the shows and the Pop Idol event, where we had 80 people come along and have a go."

There have been more than 20 events in the past 11 days. They have included talks, walks, dance and jazz as part of Swindon Jazz Festival.

Tonight there will be a Tanwood School of Performing Arts 60th anniversary show, with an interlude performance from the Moloney School of Irish Dancing, at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road. It begins at 7.30pm and entry is £6, or £4 concessions.

Tomorrow events kick off at 10am on the Lawn where there will be more than 30 stalls. There will also be a flower display at Holy Rood Church, tours led by Blue Badge Guide Cilla Slipper and a farmers' market.

At 11am the procession starts and the event will be opened by South Swindon MP Julia Drown and Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart.

Ms Drown said: "I am looking forward to this year's Old Town Festival. It will be an event to make Old Town proud and Swindon proud."

The procession is set to be more than half a mile in length and Wood Street will be closed between 11am and 3pm.

On the Lawn, there will be demonstrations and performances and displays from Roman gladiators, Irish dancers, fencers and martial arts experts.

There will also be jazz from various bands, including Adamant and Jazz Giants, at venues across Old Town.