DEVIZES Festival had a record year in 2003, attracting larger audiences than ever before and selling out 17 of its 28 events.

Festival committee chairman, Stephen Brazier, in a summary report published this week, said that the free festival fringe events were almost all packed to capacity.

He reported a £3,000 surplus on a turnover of £37,000. He said this was satisfactory given that the festival is organised by volunteers.

But he warned: "There is a need for a larger reserve as the costs of the festival continue to rise and the committee is ultimately responsible for any deficit.

"In terms of sustainability, it was gratifying to see that the proportion of income from ticket sales rose."

He said the main aim of the festival is to bring a professional programme of events at reasonable prices to Devizes for local people, rather than to attract audiences from a wider area.

An analysis of the core programme reveals that there were four classical events, five involving folk, blues and samba music, two jazz concerts, one modern dance event, three comedy and light entertainment events, three performances for children, two lectures, a choral evening, a poetry reading, a botanical walk, three music and dance workshops and three brewery tours.

The free fringe programme increased slightly in size and had two classical music events, one drama event, seven jazz/folk events and one family dance.

Participatory concerts were held at Green Lane Hospital and Rowdeford School.