AS VINTAGE fashion lovers searched for a bargain, Rodbourne residents faced further headaches on the roads.

Trend-setters descended on Swindon, as Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair returned to the STEAM Museum.

Organiser Eve Holdsworthy, 33, said: “We have anything from vintage clothes, jewellery, homewares, to vintage makeovers. Vintage is so popular: it’s really fun and the styles never go out of fashion.”

Lin Mistery, 58, a stallholder and owner of Ruby’s Vintage Treasures, said of the craze: “It’s different. You can wear vintage from top to toe or you can accessorise. You never look the same as anyone else.”

Gorse Hill-based stylists Vintage Victory Rollers were offering vintage-style makeovers. Tasha Oldacre, a 24-year-old stylist with the Cricklade Road business, said: “Essentially we’re recreating the styles from the 1920s to the 1950s. I’ve always loved the vintage look but being able to recreate the hairstyles was something I could never do. I really enjoy it.”

Jez Hargreaves, 27, from Calne, was enjoying a slice of Victoria Sponge at the tea room, having just bought a new dress. “They’re classic styles that stand the test of time,” she said of the appeal of vintage.

However, while vintage-lovers enjoyed the fun of the fair, long lines of traffic queued down Faringdon Road and Kemble Drive in a bid to access the Designer Outlet car parks.

The traffic problems follow reports of Rodbourne residents feeling that are prisoners in their own homes. Amy Wilkins, 41, said at a council meeting this month: “Every weekend it is impossible to get down Rodbourne Road. We have to plan ahead for the weekend and we have to add extra time onto our journeys.”

Jim Robbins, ward councillor for Mannington and Western, said that a new through-lane on Kemble Drive had had a positive effect in preventing even longer queues.

However, he added: “There are still issues along Rodbourne Road and traffic was backing up to Westcott Place and Faringdon Road. Traffic is also busy around the Churchward Estate.”