15443/2Plans are afoot for Wootton Bassett to hold its very own six-week long arts festival this summer to celebrate local talent and bolster the town's tourism.

At an open meeting being held today local councillors, traders and residents will discuss plans to unite the cultural talents of the town into a vibrant festival, drawing in visitors from across the county.

Brian Taylor, president of Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the arts festival committee which is holding its inaugural meeting at 1pm today at the Cross Keys pub.

He said: "There was a one-off arts festival 25 years ago but there hasn't been one since and it just seems like a wonderful opportunity to get everyone together."

The festival comes with the backing of the town council and the Chamber of Commerce and is part of North Wiltshire District Council's regeneration plan for Wootton Bassett.

Mr Taylor said: "Part of the regeneration plan is to hold festivals and with so many arts groups in Wootton Bassett I'm sure that we can create a really good arts festival."

It is hoped the festival will take place in June and July this summer, running for five or six weeks. Performances and exhibitions of local drama, music and arts groups will be held, with the aim of attracting more visitors.

Mr Taylor said: "We are a community and there's so much going on that even the local people don't know about it all. It's a chance to increase the profile of the town not just for ourselves but for other people as well.

"We've got lots of good ideas but we don't have much time so we have to move quickly.

"We need people to help and get involved and anyone interested in music, arts or drama can join in and we particularly need someone who is good with administration."

Wootton Bassett Mayor Susan Cooksley said: "If Brian can pull this off it will be a massive boost for Bassett and he knows that he's got my full support. I know he's got some quite ambitious ideas and with all the arts and crafts in the town there's massive potential."

Damian Wood, regeneration projects officer for the district council, said: "The proposed Music and Arts Festival in Wootton Bassett has been discussed between officers of North Wiltshire District Council and Brian Taylor.

"Preliminary discussions to hold the event this coming summer have been

positive, and the idea of sponsorship certainly seems worth further

investigation."

The Wootton Bassett regeneration plan has been produced to help combat recent redundancies and threats to the economy from neighbouring Swindon.

It involves a number of projects including the 'Made in Wootton Bassett Area' project, the restoration of the ancient Row de Dow path and expanding the town's cycle network.

The arts festival idea is also being welcomed by the action group that wants to convert the building on the former St Ivel site into an arts centre. Alan Mole, a member of the Beaufort Brewery Action Group, said: "I'd support this whole heartedly, anything that raises the profile of the town can only be good. Other small towns have done similar things and there's no reason why we shouldn't do the same."

Today's meeting, which will also be attended by representatives of North Wiltshire District Council, is open to anyone who has any ideas for the festival or would like to get involved.

Alternatively Brian Taylor can be contacted on (01793) 840445.