LYDIARD Park could become a regular destination for major music acts after the roaring success of Radio One’s Big Weekend.

This is the view of Swindon Council’s chief executive and part-time rocker Gavin Jones, who said the profile of the town had been raised significantly by the event.

He said: “The BBC have been saying this is one of the best Big Weekends they have done, both in terms of the location and in how it has all come together.

“Lydiard is such a popular spot for people in Swindon and I would like to see us use it more.

“I would like to see Lydiard as a venue for more music events. We already have the Oasis, which is attracting bigger acts all the time – and now we’ve seen how good Lydiard can be.

“We are working hard to get some more big names to come.

“I think there are a lot of people who have probably never thought of coming to Swindon before who will now want to come back.

“It’s the sort of event that makes you proud to be a Swindonian.”

Gavin, who has himself headlined the Town Gardens Bowl, said he had made time in between schmoozing promoters to check out the acts.

He said: “I thought Kasabian were very good but Snow Patrol were the really big act for me.

“I’ve had a fantastic time and I don’t seem to be the only one. I think this is a credit to the amazing amount of effort that has gone into making this a success.”

Council leader Rod Bluh agreed, saying it was an awe-inspiring sight to see how much had been achieved in such a short space of time.

Coun Bluh expressed his eclectic tastes in music by pointing out The Saturdays and The Prodigy as his Big Weekend biggies.

He said: “Not all of the acts were exactly to my taste but that’s one of the great strengths of something like this – you get a chance to see all sorts of bands that you might otherwise not think of.

“The setting is just perfect and I’m so proud to show off Swindon to the people who are here today.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes and I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who have made that possible.”

Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: “You never relax at an event like this with your responsibility to get everyone in and out safely.

“The weather has been fantastic and the organisation brilliant.

“The work Swindon Council has done in traffic management and marshalling has been fantastic.

“It has been one of the best partnerships we have ever had and everyone is pleased.”