PREPARATIONS are surging forward for Swindon's Old Town Festival, which begins at the end of next month.

The event is the largest festival in Swindon and is a week-long celebration of the culture and history of the Old Town area.

Old Town will take on a Victorian feel for the spectacular event, which runs from Monday, June 30, to Sunday, July 6. It features small events running across the whole of Old Town, from guided walks on the history of the Lawn, to dances and theatre reviews and a pop concert in the Old Town Bowl.

The festivities liven up even further during the festival weekend with fun for all the family on the Lawns, and a long procession of bands, school children, dancers and other traditional acts. It concludes on the Sunday afternoon with more music, singers and bands in the Bowl and the bandstand.

Fundraising for the event is ongoing and the committee is looking for any businesses, organisations or individuals to help make this year's event the biggest and best ever.

The organisers are also looking for schools and groups from ethnic minorities to take part in the procession.

The parade, which takes place from 11.30am to noon on Saturday, July 5, will see a horse drawn carriage carrying a Queen Victoria double.

The procession route is from Lloyds TSB on the High Street, into Wood Street , Victoria Road via Albert Street and Union Row, into Devizes Road, Newport Street and back onto the High Street before turning right into the Lawns.

Among the first events to raise money for the festival is a display of Irish dancing by the Moloney School of Irish Dance tomorrow.

Music will be provided by a local Irish band and there will be an exhibition of Irish Dancing at its most spectacular.

Dancing runs from 9pm to midnight with a late bar. For tickets, priced £5, call 642368 and 487154.

Money raised at the event will go to the Old Town Festival and local charities.

For more information call the festival chairman Harry Bromley on 01793 344220, festival advisor Terry King on 01793 487154, or visit the festival website at www.oldtownfestival.co.uk