DEVIZES Castle moat could be used for more community events but general access to tourists is not on the agenda, according to Robin Taylor who lives at The Gatehouse.

Mr Taylor was speaking after the success of a jazz concert in aid of Wiltshire branch of the British Red Cross on Saturday.

By covenant, public access is not allowed into the grounds of the medieval castle, destroyed by Oliver Cromwell at the end of the English Civil War. But access to the moat is allowed by the permission of Mr Taylor, who owns that part of it.

He said: "We generally open up that part of the castle for charity events once or twice a year, but most of the residents are not prepared to make it a tourist attraction, as Kennet District Council would like.

"There is not enough done for the ordinary local people and it was wonderful that, of the 200 people who turned up Saturday night, most of them were familiar to me.

"The success of the event was almost entirely due to the weather. More than half the tickets were sold on the night to people who thought it would be a nice thing to attend on a beautiful summer's evening.

"There are thousands of new householders arriving in Devizes but nothing is being done for them.

"It is about time Kennet stopped spending money on attracting outsiders to the town and started spending it on the people who pay the council tax."

But Mr Taylor said he was prepared to go to the High Court to prevent any attempt to open up the grounds to tourists.

The Red Cross hopes to have raised £1,374 for its funds from Saturday night's event, featuring young jazz bands booked through Wiltshire Music Centre's Jazz Factory.

Mary Harrington, Wiltshire Red Cross's public relations officer, said: "We would like to say a big thank you to the owners of the Gatehouse and everyone who helped on the day, and to everyone who came along and made it such a super event.

"All the money raised at the event will be used to enable us to support vulnerable people in the area and further afield."

Fifteen young musicians from the Jazz Factory under the direction of Peter Sneyd played at the event.

Vocalists Gabby Young and Liz Holland sang classics like Fever and Bare Necessities, while young trombonist Jack Looman played a number of solos.

Band 81, experienced Jazz Factory members who had just completed a jazz course in Glamorgan, played a fine set.

Jazz Factory meets on Monday evenings in term time at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.

The next session will be on September 8.

Anyone who is interested in the sessions should contact Mr Sneyd on (01225) 755439 for more details.