TWO of Swindon's best-known musical groups joined forces to bring festive cheer to an icy Christmas shopping day.

The Kentwood Choir and Swindon Brass performed outside Debenhams, playing seasonal songs old and new.

But bringing cheer to the town centre was not the only good cause served by the music donations from the public will be passed on to the local branch of Age Concern.

The concert was the latest Christmas event staged in the town centre, whose management is in the midst of a major drive to encourage people to do their Christmas shopping in Swindon instead of going to neighbouring towns and cities.

A Christmas parade, billed as the biggest and best ever, signalled the start of the celebrations last month.

More than 200 people took part, ranging from street entertainers and celebrity lookalikes to a group of people from Luke Skywalker's Swindon costume shop who appeared dressed as science fiction characters and superheroes.