THIS year's Old Town festival was the best ever according organising chairman, Harry Bromley.

Thousands of people turned out at the weekend for this year's Old Town Victorian Festival.

It was a record breaker in two ways for the longest procession and also for staging 40 events ranging from fencing demonstrations at The Lawns to Songs of Praise in Town Gardens.

Now money from the weekend, which will go to the Advertiser's Swindon Cancer Appeal and Prospect Hospice is being totted up and organisers hope that it will exceed last year's total of £1,500.

Mr Bromley said: "There is no doubt that this year's festival was the best yet.

"If people had not enjoyed what was on offer, they wouldn't have stayed.

"But hundreds came out in force to watch," he said.

"I feel it was well worth the hard work and effort of everybody involved, but without the support of the community it would have been pointless," Mr Bromley said.

He added: "On several occasions strangers came up to me and thanked the committee for the work they have put in and I would like to say a large thank you to the members who put in many long hours to produce an event of such high standards."

Mr Bromley also said that the procession was one of the highlights.

He said that the musical events in the Town Gardens on the Sunday were a fitting climax to the festival.

Clean-up operations continued during Sunday evening, and by Monday morning there were no signs that the festival had taken place, apart from a few mislaid items including a gentleman's beige hat, and a small tent.

Mr Bromley added that plans would soon be underway for the 2004 event.

"We now want to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping with the committee.

"We are particularly looking for younger members in order to inject some fresh ideas into."

To get involved with the festival, call Mr Bromley on Swindon 344220, festival co-ordinator Terry King on Swin-don 487154, or the festival secretary, John Venables on Swindon 495095.