APRIL 8: Past acts include Liberty XTHE Wiltshire Festival is set to return this summer and the organisers say it will be back with a vengeance.

Last year the festival had to be cancelled when the promoter withdrew at the 11th hour, but the organisers promised it would be back in 2004.

And now plans are shaping up for some headline acts to perform at what has become the county's most prestigious summer music event.

The full line-up will not be announced until next week but promoter Neil Cooper says the bands he is in discussions with will bring in sell-out crowds.

He said: "We are currently in negotiations with bands who will prove that the festival is back and back with a vengeance.

"Last year I know there were a lot of people who were disappointed the festival did not go ahead.

"I am sure people will be relieved to hear that the festival is returning this year. The support for the festival has been incredible.

"It's a great example of what can be achieved when local people really throw their support behind something worthwhile.

"We're delighted to help bring it back and make it bigger and better than ever.

"Within a week we will be in a position to announce our major headline acts."

Mr Cooper's company, Green Arena Events, will be promoting the festival, which will be held at Lydiard Country Park on the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Major sponsors of the 10-year-old festival GWR FM, Swindon Council and the Evening Advertiser are continuing to back the event.

On Friday, August 27, there will be the classical picnic and proms event featuring an orchestra and a firework spectacular finale.

And on the Saturday afternoon and evening, the Party In The Park will take place with an estimated audience of more than 15,000 people.

In 2002, almost 30,000 people attended the two concerts with 10,000 music fans turning out for the Classical Extravaganza and 17,000 for the Party In The Park, headlined by boyband A1.

Other artists who have appeared at the festival over the years include Blue, Steps, Liberty X, Mis-Teeq, The Drifters, East 17, 10CC, Sam Cook, Tony Hadley, Suzi Quattro and Jimmy Somerville.

Last year the event had to be cancelled when festival promoter Eddie Sharpe, of Heaven On Earth promotions, was forced to file for liquidation.

When the company was wound up the contract was cancelled.

It left the new promoters little time to secure both sponsorship and major headline artists.

It was estimated then that the festival costs between £400,000 and £500,000 to stage.

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