Young and old seized the chance to dance, juggle, make music and create pictures at The Event a two-day celebration of arts in north Wiltshire.

Hundreds of people took part in the gala, which was organised by Arts North Wiltshire to highlight the wealth of artistic talent in the district.

Artists opened studios and ran exhibitions, dancers and musicians organised taster sessions, and performers put on special shows.

"There was a lovely buzz about the place, which was great," said ArtsNoW chairman Nicholas Keyworth.

"It was something of a pilot for us and we have learned there is real potential to do something even bigger maybe over a week.

"It could be a really good thing, to raise the profile of the arts in the district, but also to attract people into the area, providing a boost for tourism."

The Event kicked off on Friday with a conference for people working in the arts, at The Cause in Chippenham.

"The quality of the speakers was excellent, and we had the right number of people," said Mr Keyworth.

"And we had a good range of people, who practise all sorts of art forms. We also had participants from outside the district from Winchester, Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire."

Speakers included Fred Guscott, director of The Cause, Steve Hackett, from Southern and South East Arts, and Archer Endrich, who is setting up an ArtsNoW website.

Creative development consultant Libby Anson led a session on developing the arts as a business and arts management consultant Madeline Hutchins helped delegates brush up their networking skills.

On Saturday The Event widened in scope, with a packed programme featuring dozens of events.

Exhibitions, performances, workshops and open studios were held all over North Wiltshire, including Corsham, Calne, Lacock, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett.

"I went on a tour around the district to see as much as I could," said Mr Keyworth. "I didn't quite see everything, but those I did see demonstrated a lot of high quality work."

The workshops included a popular felt making class with Heather Martin, and a lively Appalachian dance performance, both at The Cause in Chippenham.

The venue also featured a session of silvercraft with Christine Fenton and a workshop with Westinghouse Orchestra. Aspiring musicians were invited to go along and join in, playing whatever instrument they could take along.

Artists Jennifer and Bob Rudd held an open day at their home in the Causeway and exhibitions were held at the Cellar and Citadel galleries.

In Corsham, activities ranged from children's ballet dancing to creative claywork and animation.

Ceramics by seven potters were displayed at David McDowell's open studio in the Tanyard in Lacock, and Upper Seagry artist Tricia Douglas held an open studio, exhibiting her charcoal and pastel works.

The day rounded off with four performances, including an organ recital by Roy Massey at Malmesbury Abbey, and a song recital at Sheldon Manor featuring Colin Howard and David Seymour.