HIGHWORTH’S biggest music festival returned for another successful year on Saturday.

Hundreds went to WrdeUp to watch live music, eat, drink, browse the stalls, and enjoy the beautiful summer weather.

Performers including The Voice Kids semi-finalist Lewis Blissett and top Madness tribute band The Los Palmas Six entertained festival-goers on the Highworth Recreation Ground throughout the day and well into the night.

Stephen Peacey is a member of the festival’s organising committee.

He said: “It’s Highworth’s biggest garden party, it’s been really busy and we sold more than 700 tickets in pre-sales alone, we normally sell 400.

“It’s all about having a great family day out and it’s gone really well.

“It’s been brilliant and the weather’s incredible.”

The festival raises money for local organisations in the town, who can apply for a portion of the money by visiting the festival’s website.

As well as Lewis and the Madness tribute band, the line-up included local acts Bleep Machines, Mixtape and Boogie Me, plus Promise Land, Spidasense and Felix and the Funk.

Old Town teen Lewis performed on stage the day before his winning battle rounds performance on The Voice Kids was broadcast to the nation.

Crowds of visitors enjoyed other fun activities like be a performance and an interactive dance session from dancing school Danzone, a circus workshop and funfair from Danters Funfair, and animals from Swindon Reptile Rescue.

Irene Woodall, from Highworth, was having a lovely day at the festival.

She said: “It’s great, the music has been really good and I think it’s a lovely thing for Highworth.”

Highworth Festival chairman Jim Webster was helping visitors at WrdeUp’s main entrance.

He said: “Everybody’s been having fun and we’ve had a big crowd of people coming in.”

Local organisations like the Highworth Craft Fair also set up shop at the festival.

Lisa Stranks said: “The atmosphere is amazing today.

“We do a craft fair every month and we’ve had a lot of people interested in bringing the Highworth community together.

“There are a lot of small businesses in the town who can’t afford the rates on the High Street and we don’t want them to leave.”

Local charities like the Highworth Youth Nexus had their own stalls to raise awareness of their good causes.

Mayor of Highworth and chair of trustees for the Nexus Project Nick Gardiner was hanging around the charity’s stall.

He said: “Since the closure of Puddleducks, people think the Nexus has stopped but we are actively working on new premises for September and we’ve put more time into mentoring and Warneford School.”