A MEMORABLE nostalgic celebration held at The Brunel shopping centre is in the running for a national award.

The Vintage And Retro Festival, which took place in March, captured the imagination of the town, with many attending in outfits from yesteryear.

There were also classic car displays and music performances.

Following the success of the weekend event The Brunel has been nominated for the British Council Of Shopping Centres’ Purple Apple Marketing Award.

“We have run the Vintage And Retro Festival twice now. The 2014 one was such a great success we were asked to run it for a second time in 2015,” said Jane Stewart, the centre’s deputy manager.

“There was enormous interest from customers and our retailers were delighted with the increase in visitors to the town centre.

"This year’s event was equally successful and we know it brought shoppers back who may not have shopped in the town centre for a while, as well as visitors from outside the Swindon area.

“Events like this really do help to market Swindon and to showcase what we have to offer.”

Other entertainment at the festival included vintage stalls, fashion shows, dance shows and make-up and hair demonstrations.

The shopping centre will find out if it has been successful at a ceremony being held in London on Thursday, May 7.

Steve and Alicia Stuart, who run Carry On Vintage, based in The Brunel, have their fingers crossed that the centre will win the honour.

Steve said: “It was a great event that brought a lot of people to the town and satisfied all the traders.

"They are a private business who really do have the interests of Swindon at heart.”

Alicia said: “There was a great atmosphere in the town over the weekend and everyone had a lot of fun.

"A lot of people wish it happened every month. That is an example of how popular it was.”

For more information visit www.thebrunel.co.uk.