CHIPPFEST, the annual festival which sees live music, dances, recitals and plays take place at venues throughout the town returns tomorrow (Friday June 22) as more of low a key affair compared to previous years.

Event organisers Andy Thatcher and Brian Reid have taken a step back this year, but still have a variety of events taking place over the next ten days.

The festival kicks off with a dance extravaganza where various dance groups from the community will perform at The Need Community Arts Centre tomorrow night from 7pm.

Mr Thatcher, who runs local radio station Chippenham fM and has been organising Chippfest for the last four years, said: "We try and encompass everything that is to do with music, art and drama, and we try to put all of that together.

"Some things we put on ourselves, some things we put on with other people and other events we add to the the umbrella of Chippfest.

"It is a bit low key this year.

"We are just a couple of people who run an independent radio station, have a day job as well as Chippfest and it is difficult to give everything as much time."

In previous years the festival culminated with Rock in the Park, where bands would take to the stage and perform to the crowds.

Last year, the event was cancelled at the last minute after organisers were told that members of the security team employed for the event were involved in a car crash in Manchester and three members had died.

However the Gazette and Herald found that Greater Manchester Police had no record of an incident like that taking place.

Mr Thatcher said they still haven't got to the bottom of what happened.

"Some strange things were said and we always said we wanted to be above it and our solicitor is looking into it.

"We lost about £6,000 because of it but luckily our sponsors have supported us - it has got a bit too big for a couple of people to do."

This year, Chippfest will come to a close with a smaller do in the form of Rock in the Pub, where a number of bands will perform at The Old Road Tavern, Old Road on Saturday June 30 from 1pm.

Mr Thatcher added: "We are hoping to relaunch again next year, but we need a crew to make it as big as other festivals in Trowbridge and Devizes."

For a full list of events, please visit: www.chippenhamfm.com/other-local-events.