A TOUCH of laid-back West Indian flavour came to Walcot during the annual Afro Caribbean Carnival.

Saturday's event, which was opened by mayor Stan Pajak, brought together Swindon's diverse community at Buckhurst Park, Walcot.

Organiser Cecil Williams, of Swindon's West Indian Community Association, said the party showed exactly what the town's community could achieve.

"We all get together once a year for a celebration of all our cultures," he said.

"The whole event is based around fun and people enjoy the West Indian flavour and culture through music and food.

"There is never any trouble. Hundreds of people from all different walks of life and cultures came along on Saturday and had a great time.

"If only people could do that for the rest of the year there wouldn't be any problems for the police to deal with."

Revellers were served traditional Caribbean food like curried chicken, mutton, goat and swordfish, which together with the blistering sunshine, helped the carnival go with a swing. Children amused themselves on bouncy castles while a music stage belted out traditional reggae.

Gloria Morgan, 62, from Toothill added: "This is what the carnival is all about people of all races and ages coming together for a good time."

"The only disappointment was that we couldn't get a traditional steel band that would have topped it off."