THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to pour into Wootton Bassett on Sunday to enjoy the town's spectacular High Street Festival.

Excitement in the town is mounting as the final preparations are put into place for what promises to be an even bigger and better festival than ever before.

Now in its fifth year the festival attracted more than 10,000 people last August and the town council is expecting large crowds again.

Deputy town clerk Wendy Marchment who has dealt with this year's bookings, said the interest has been unprecedented.

"We've had so many phone calls that we've now run out of space for all the stalls and we've had to start a waiting list. There's lots on offer and I'd say that about 90 per cent of it is totally free," she said.

The festival is set to start at 11am with events taking place throughout the town including on a stage set up adjacent to the town hall; an arena outside Iceland and a funfair and games taking place at Borough fields.

There will be plenty of entertainers from clowns and jugglers to wizards and gorillas, milling around the High Street ready to bring a smile to everyone's face.

Mayor Chris Wannell said: "The High Street Festival is definitely the town's biggest single day event and the idea is to promote Wootton Bassett and show people all the wonderful things we have to offer."

Included in this year's line-up are the colourful costumes of the Bournemouth Carnival Band, who have become established as Britain's leading marching band, as well as Europe's most unusual entertaining comedy band. They will be performing in the arena at 12.15pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

Coun Wannell said: "The whole day will be fantastic and the Bournemouth Carnival Band are just brilliant.

"They play really good happy music and it's worth coming to see them alone and then you've got all the other things going on as well."

Acts taking place on the stage include the Bewley Brothers, all the way from Chicago, who have recently returned from a recent tour in Afghanistan. They will be singing the blues followed by Explosive Nzakomba who will be performing a whole range of music including reggae, salsa, rumba and American R&B.

Coun Wannell said: "There will be something for all ages and all families.

"We've had nothing but bad news in Bassett recently so the festival is coming at just the right time and I'm sure everyone will have a great time."

Other attractions include comedy juggler Mark Abbott, who will be holding a juggling workshop in the arena, with a make and do children's workshop also taking place on the High Street. The John Currie Jazz Band will also be performing and there will be masseurs, a caricaturist, hair braiders, and Mystic Ruth telling fortunes in Borough Fields.

Festival timetable

On stage (adjacent to Town Hall)

11am and 1pm: Bewley Brothers

Noon: Route 66

3pm: Chris Rainbow

2pm and 4.15pm: Explosive Nzakomba

In the arena (outside Iceland)

12.15pm, 2pm and 3.30pm: Bournemouth Comedy Band, comedy juggler Mark Abbot and juggling workshop.

Borough Fields

Scarrotts Funfair's carousel and shooting gallery

Giant games: Jenga, Pick Up Sticks, Twister, Ludo, Snakes & Ladders

Mystic Ruth

High Street Walkabouts

John Currie's Jazz Band Gorilla and man

Air brush painter Bunny and Thomas

Indian head masseur Kipper the Clown

Children's workshop Stilt walkers

Craft and charity stalls Wobbly wizard