There are 18 days left until the beginning of the Old Town Festival at the end of the month.

The event celebrates the culture and extensive history of the Old Town area with around 40 events taking place over the week.

The 11th festival is being organised by a small committee, whose members have been working since the end of last year's event to ensure the 2003 festival is bigger and better than ever.

Playing a key role in the procession this year is Mary Rat-cliffe.

She has been associated with the festival since its beginnings, taking on the role of Queen Victoria as part of the Victorian theme. This year, she will be riding in style on a horse-drawn carriage.

She said: "The first Old Town festivals were more like a village fete, with stalls and events on the Lawn over the weekend.

"One year we had some wonderful ponies out on the Lawn. They were great characters, and everybody appreciated them.

"The festival has got so much bigger over the years, and I feel it's important that Old Town has a Victor- ian festival because of its history and Victorian background.

"That era is an easy time to for people to recognise and get involved by creating their own costumes.

"I am looking forward to taking part in this year's procession in the horse and carriage."

The Old Town Festival procession takes place on Saturday, July 5, from 11.30am to noon.

It will set off from the High Street, down Wood Street before turning into Victoria Road via Albert Street and Union Row.

It then moves into Devizes Road and Newport Street before moving back onto the High Street.

Among the participants will be Air Cadets, members of Swindon Rugby Club, a Jolly Brolly Parade, the Railway Community Centre engine and the Royal British Legion Corps of Drums.

Last year's procession was around half a mile long, but the organisers are hoping to better that this year.

More information on festival events can be found in the Victorian Festival programme which is priced £1 and is available from the Victoria Bookshop on Wood Street and the Swindon Information Centre in Regent Street.

For more information visit the website at www.oldtownfestival .org.uk