THE good times rolled into Malmesbury over the weekend as the town's sixth jazz festival got underway.

Jazz echoed up the High Street, along Oxford Street, up Tetbury Hill and down Holloway as 14 bands played in six venues.

Festival secretary Sue Paul said: "I thought it was very successful. It is great to organise an event and then see lots of people enjoying themselves.

"We haven't finished counting up but attendances were well up on last year."

The first act of the three-day event was The Dave Donohoe band which played The Kings Arms Hotel on Friday night.

Mr Donohoe, who has played trombone with Woody Allen and jammed with the Fats Domino Band, started playing the trombone in the 1960s when he gave up the trumpet because he had a friend who was a better player.

He has been involved with Malmesbury Jazz society for 26 years.

"I have only missed coming here once in that time," he said.

"I have a lot of good memories and there has been many changes, a lot of people have come and gone."

The fine weather also tempted a number of people to linger and listen to the music.

.Janie Thomas, of Gloucester Street said: "It's absolutely wonderful.

"I was just passing Cross Hayes when I heard this lovely sound, there were seats in Market Lane so I bought a drink and I am sitting enjoying the music."

There was music to suit all tastes. The Western Jazz Band played a mix of New Orleans blues and jazz at the Kings Arms Hotel.

Hot Strings played tunes by Django Reinhardt and jazz standards at the Suffolk Arms.

And the Celebration Jazz Band, including the president of Malmesbury Jazz Festival, Tim Newman played at the Duke of York in the afternoon.

Mr Newman, who was one of the founding members of the festival in 1976 said: "People came from all over the country to the festival.

"We always try to vary it and put in some new bands every year.

"You worry that the bands are going to perform well, but I think that there was something for everyone this year."

Mike and Sandra Dickson, who had come from Seaton in Devon for the weekend said: "The jazz has been very good.

"We like all types of jazz and we have been well catered for here.

"But I think we need to get the youth involved."

The Buskateers, who have been playing together for eight years, brought a touch of New Orleans to the Market Cross.

Also playing were Clive and Kicking, the Rod Coleman Quartet, Dan Artesian Hall Stompers and Alice's Wonderland Band.

And Crazy Rhythm, a fluent guitar and double bass trio, who had travelled down from Whitby to take part, showed off their folk roots with some gypsy-style guitar playing.

At one point, lead guitarist Paul Hares taped up his third and fourth fingers to play in the style of the great Belgian jazz guitarist Dajngo Reinhardt who lost those fingers in a fire when he was young.

In the evening the New Orleans revival-style Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band took centre stage.

The first performance on Sunday was in Malmesbury Abbey where the Blount Band accompanied the members of the congregation during their morning worship.

The band, who have played in the abbey before, added New Orleans harmonies to the hymns.

Claire Harwood, from Dorset said: "It has been great, the music has been really good.

"I used to live here 25 years ago and my mother lives here so it is really good to come back for an event like this."

The meetings for the Jazz Society have changed from the Kings Arms Hotel to the function room at the Rose and Crown pub in Lea. The next meeting will be on October 25 and will feature Colin Kingwell's jazz band.