Vinyl junkies from all over the UK will be heading down to their local record store tomorrow (Saturday, April 22) to flip through the latest specialist releases and collectors items, to mark the 10th annual Record Store Day.

In Swindon, record fans and DJs will be queuing up to be first for the latest releases in Red House Records within Holmes Music on Faringdon Road.

The Swindon store is run by Paul Holmes, a noted musician himself. He said: “We opened in May 2013 and this will be our fourth Record Store Day; it just gets better every year! The vinyl revival is still going from strength to strength as younger music fans discover vinyl for the first time and those who grew up with records rediscover the unique experience of putting a record on the turntable. In 2016 the value of vinyl sales overtook downloads for the first time ever.”

Last year there were more than 50 people waiting in the rain outside the Swindon store at the opening time of 8am, some having camped out since 3am. Record Store Day is a day of surprises when many artists put in special appearances at various stores up and down the UK. In Swindon singer/songwriter Nick Harper, who has played with The Levellers and Squeeze will be dropping in to play from noon and Steve Grimmett lead singer of heavy metal band Grim Reaper will be appearing for a RDS exclusive signing.

The first Record Store Day was officially kicked off by Metallica in San Francisco in 2008 and is now held every April.

Redhouse Records has a built up a wide customer reach with clients from as far afield as Europe and even Japan buying through the online shop. The Swindon store will also be open on Sunday from 10am. For more details visit: https://redhouserecords.co.uk/ or call 01793 526393 - Flicky Harrison