ORGANISERS behind Swindon’s Big Arts Day are determined the show will go on despite the deluge of miserable weather putting car parks out of action.

Swindon’s biggest free cultural event has run close to the wire as the wettest June on record was followed by another downpour at the start of this month.

At one point a message was released in error saying the festival, due to take place in Lydiard Park on Saturday, had been cancelled.

But council leader Rod Bluh said: “The weather has been a factor we could have done without but it looks as though the Big Arts Day will go ahead, albeit with changes to the parking situation.

“I pay tribute to all of our team who have put in an enormous amount of hard work to make sure the show stays on the road.

“Big Arts Day is a fantastic event which attracted 25,000 people last year. It is a free festival for the whole town and hopefully this year people will have a brilliant time irrespective of the weather.”

Meetings have taken place this week to discuss whether the festival should go ahead or not.

Coun Bluh admitted it had been touch and go due to health and safety reasons around car parking but that the day would proceed with alternative arrangements in place.

Roads and streets around the park, including in residential areas, have been designated as residential areas and will be patrolled. Extra shuttle buses are being laid on by the organisers from the town centre. Some of the attractions will be in different parts of the site to protect the grounds with extra walkways and matting to protect the grass.

Coun Garry Perkins, cabinet member for regeneration and culture, said: “The Big Arts Day will still be a great day out for everyone – we are not going to be beaten by the weather here in Swindon.

“The free family festival has become a hugely popular attraction in recent years and will include six music stages, drama, dance, a children’s zone and much more. However, there will be no public parking and I would ask people to make alternative travel arrangements.”