FASHION guru Wayne Hemingway whose insults inspired the Advertiser's Swindon and Proud Of It campaign is heading to town.

The designer, who described parts of Swindon as jaw-droppingly bad' is putting in an appearance at the Skills Awards 2006, at the Nationwide headquarters in Pipers Way.

The controversy surrounding Mr Hemingway's comments kicked off in June last year when he said parts of Swindon were at the top of his Crap Housing Estates league table in a building magazine.

Adver readers were outraged by his claims and the response to our campaign, which included pro-Swindon pledge cards, T-shirts, wristbands and van stickers, was overwhelming.

Swindon's celebrity mum Melinda Messenger, DJ Sandy Martin and local MPs all rallied behind the cause.

Former Swindon citizens living as far away as America and Australia also gave their support.

Mayor Ray Fisher offered to give the man behind clothes company Red or Dead a tour of the town at the time.

Mr Hemingway declined but Coun Fisher is pleased he is finally getting round to visit.

He said: "He needs to be shown the nice parts of Swindon.

"I'd be happy to sort him out with a programme of things he could do here.

"I'm pleased he is coming at last and the offer is there if he is interested.

"I'd be very pleased to give him a tour."

Town centre manager Bernie Maguire, who has been working to make the centre a safe and appealing place to visit for the last 10 years, was another to back the campaign.

He said: "I think there's not enough good news that gets out about Swindon so it's good to see Mr Hemingway coming here for these awards.

"It will be great for him to see the nicer parts of the town and this award ceremony could be a springboard for Swindon.

"The more people get behind the town the better it will become.

"I would like to see Mr Hemingway come to the town centre and I would gladly show him round."

The Skills Awards 2006, is supported by Nationwide Building Society and hosted by skills4business and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Paul Gaunt, skills4business manager, said: "Having been the winner of the prestigious British Fashion Council's Streetstyle Designer of the Year Award for an unprecedented three consecutive years in 1996, 1997 and 1998, Wayne is no stranger to award ceremonies."

Mr Gaunt said the designer will be at Nationwide on March 24 to give a personal insight into how training has affected his business.

With a number of categories covering a wide variety of industries, open to all businesses and employees in Swindon and Wiltshire, the Skills Awards 2006 will recognise the success of companies, organisations and individuals who have made a difference to the development of skills in the area.

The deadline has been extended until Friday, January 31, to allow companies and individuals alike to get their entries in.