POP stars Claire Sweeney, Limahl and Jessica Garlick were greeted by fewer than 500 people at Trowbridge's first World Peace Day concert despite 5,000 tickets being on offer.

Steep ticket prices and a lacklustre response from people in the district are being blamed for the low turnout but organisers say those who did attend had a fantastic time.

Organiser Steve Nash, sports and community development officer for Trowbridge Town Council, said the £15 ticket price put many people off but he hoped a similar event could be held next year.

He said: "A lot of people have commented on the ticket price and we probably got that wrong.

"It was the first event like this. We have spoilt people. There have been six big events already this year which people haven't had to pay for. It is time to show they can have a better quality of entertainment.

"It is time people in Trowbridge realised they don't have to go miles to London or Bristol for concerts. They can stay in their own town."

A daytime session of workshops and peace related activities and performances, organised by the Wiltshire Youth Assembly, attracted just a few hundred young people and although the county's youth service received 1,000 free concert tickets only 200 youngsters turned up.

The concert area was sectioned off from the rest of the park with a purpose built stage and many concert-goers praised the professional approach taken during the event.

Mr Nash said: "The DJs from Reflections, who did the early evening music, thought it was a fantastic event.

"The overall response has been very good."

He said it was possible the event would return next year.

West Wiltshire's home grown talent, Mimi Kevan, appeared alongside top names on the bill.

She ended with the song Talk which she said summed up what World Peace was all about.

She said: "It is about communication, which the world does not seem to have a lot of at the moment."

Among the 80s songs performed by Limahl were Too Shy, the song he said 'changed his life and his bank balance' and Neverending Story, his smash hit from the film of the same name.

He told concert-goers: "You have been a lovely audience and I'm going to take you all home to dinner."

Former Brookside star Claire Sweeney was tickled to find fans had thrown a large pair of pink knickers at her on stage.

She said: "There have not been a lot of you but you have been a lovely crowd."

Mr Nash said: "It was absolutely brilliant. I would love to see the event stay in Trowbridge and there is a potential backer already.

"The young people do not know what they missed. We probably had about 400 to 500 people and everyone I spoke to had a good time."

He said the type of music and bands playing, particularly during the daytime activities, would be reviewed if the event was held again.

Messages promoting peace were placed around the arena and through the day youngsters created a World Peace graffiti board.

Other activities in the afternoon included drumming workshops and a magician.

Young Wiltshire bands were also given the opportunity to perform on stage after auditioning to take part.

Amnesty International was among the organisations with stands at the event.

Peter Chalke, leader of Wiltshire County Council, said: "I am pleased that the young people of the county are making such a strong statement about peace in the world."

The Trowbridge events tied in with the UN's World Peace Day, which is monitored by the charitable organisation Peace One Day.

It coincided with eight other events across the country.