THE Daleks invaded Wootton Bassett, but they were there to entertain, not exterminate. The Daleks were the centrepiece of the launch of the Wootton Bassett Carnival on Saturday.

Organiser Di Williams said the Dr Who villains had been part of the carnival's 35th-year theme of lights, camera, action.

"It was a great launch," she said. "The Daleks were a great success."

The carnival will run for the next two weeks and include a street parade and, for the first time, an arts fringe festival.

From September 17 to 20 will there will be a production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat organised by theatre production company Anything But Ordinary.

The community group has been working with children in the town.

On Saturday, September 23, there will be a fun day, topped off with a parade through the town at 5pm.

The festival had to be moved from May to this month because Wessex Water, which has been carrying out major sewer replacement works since March, could not guarantee the High Street would be open.

For more information telephone the carnival office on 01793 849963. Tickets for Joseph are available at Wootton Bassett Post Office.