A FESTIVAL that celebrates creativity among children of all ages has had its most successful year since it launched in 2009.

The eighth annual Royal Wootton Bassett speech and drama festival included over 650 children from the area, a third more than in 2016.

This year budding news readers of the future were given the chance to shine on film for the first time, as camera were rolling to give them a realistic television experience.

Students took part in over 60 separate classes, including solo or duologue acting and mime and 100 trophies were awarded to top performers.

Festival chair, Sandra McDowell said: “It really was a wonderful event this year. With so many entrants, the event was really buzzing with all the energy.

"We hope the festival was seen by the public and entrants, as a happy and fulfilling weekend. The level of entertainment was superb this year, we clearly have a lot of talent in Wiltshire and it’s wonderful for it to be recognised.”

Included in the winning entries was Florence Watts from Devizes who won the Patricia Read memorial trophy for best junior acting and the mayor's shield for the best concert performance.

Jack Attwood from Chippenham won the quirky bird theatre cup for most outstanding Shakespeare performance and students from the Marlborough Academy of Dance picked up recognition for their theatre pieces.