Two towns with the same name, one in Wiltshire, the other in New Zealand, were united at the jazz festival at the weekend.

For the first time Marlborough, New Zealand, played a part in the Marlborough International Jazz Festival.

Its Chamber of Commerce sponsored one of the bandstands, at Old Lion Court but the Kiwi connection did not stop there.

Members from the New Zealand chamber also manned a shop in the former greengrocer’s shop by the town hall.

They were offering free wine tastings from the many vineyards in the renowned Marlborough region.

The new Devizes MP Claire Perry opened the festival on Friday at a brief ceremony in the High Street at which St John’s School Brass Band played.

She highlighted a family connection with Down Under. “We have people all the way from New Zealand for this festival including my husband and mother-in-law.”

Founder and director Nick Fogg said the festival was truly international with 24 different nationalities taking part.

“It’s wonderful that we have people coming from all across the globe to Marlborough,” he said.

Nearly 100 bands played on Friday night, all day on Saturday and on Sunday afternoon, in more than 20 venues around the town.

The festival closed on Sunday with a concert by the American Rat Pack legend Buddy Greco, aged 83.

When the last jazz notes had died away Mr Fogg said: “This was the most successful jazz festival so far.

“Happy crowds milled through the streets and a great time has been had by all.

“We’ve received scores of messages of appreciation.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to our sponsors, who make it all possible; the musicians, who give their all and seem to enjoy the event as much as the public and our festivalgoers for their continuing appreciation and support.”

He added: “2010 will be a hard act to follow.

“but we’re determined to do it in 2011”