APRIL 24: SUMMER is well and truly on the way and with it comes Swindon's annual chance to show the rest of the country how to party.

The Wiltshire Festival, comprising the classical extravaganza and the Party in the Park, has given pop thrills for kids and more refined pleasure for classical fans for years, and is now returning after a year's break.

Last year, the festival was scrapped when the promoter withdrew at the 11th hour, but this year's event is being touted as the best yet.

Friday, August 27, is the date for the classical evening, and, the next day, boy band Blue and R and B star Jamelia will take to the Lydiard Park stage.

In the past 10 years, Lydiard Park has proved a magnet for top pop names as well as bringing some of the most accomplished classical artists to Swindon.

Among the recent highlights were 1999's event, when 8,000 people flocked to Lydiard to see Cleopatra, the Honeyz, Kele le Roc, E-17 and heart-throbs 911.

And as the day wore on, the older hands took over the stage. Tony Hadley, the former Spandau Ballet frontman brought his band on to give mums in the audience a reminder of the glory days of the early 1980s, followed by Graham Gouldman and Rick Fenn from 10cc, best known for I'm Not In Love and Dreadlock Holiday.

The previous year, Carol Decker from T'Pau blasted out a series of hits from her old band, including the famous China in Your Hand and Heart and Soul, and shared the bill with Paul Young and Sam Moore.

Then in 2000 it was the turn of two of the biggest names in show business. Charlotte Church, then 14, starred at the classical evening and the next day featured Steps who are now ranked second only to the Beatles for top 40 chart entries the Vengaboys, Oxide and Neutrino, Madison Avenue, and, for the Motown fans, Edwin Starr.

Then it was the triumphant return of Tony Hadley who again gave people what they wanted a run-through of Spandau Ballet tracks including True, Gold and Behind the Barricades.

In 2001, Swindon was graced by an appearance from girl band Atomic Kitten, pop babe Louise and boy band A1. Also helping create a memorable day was former Another Level singer Dane Bowers, who later found fame working with Victoria Beckham. That year's blast from the past was provided by 1980s soul band Go West, who had thousands chanting along to The King of Wishful Thinking, made famous in the Julia Roberts film Pretty Woman.

Then in the 2002 the most recent festival fans were treated to bands that included Liberty X and Mis-Teeq in blazing sunshine.

Sixties classics were provided by The Drifters, who belted out well-received versions of Love train, Under the Boardwalk, and Saturday Night at the Movies.

Elsewhere, H and Claire from Steps, AllStars, 3SL and Swindon's own Essteem helped complete a line-up that could have been lifted from a chart rundown.

As ever, the weekend was kicked off by a Classical Proms Extravaganza, complete with Land of Hope and Glory, demonstrating why Swindon is so lucky to have two separate halves making one special weekend a tradition that will hopefully continue for years to come.