FIRST fancy dress was the order of day when a children's proms was staged in Devizes and then this was replaced with red, white and blue on Sunday when the town celebrated Proms In The Park.

Devizes Town Band was at the heart of both afternoons in Hillworth Park and attracted big crowds to enjoy music in the sun.

At the children's prom both the band and youngsters dressed as their favourite characters from film, TV and musicals. Ghostbusters, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Dr Who complete with K9 and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz were all in attendance.

Band Sarah Tyler said: "It was great to see that some of the children who came to listen to the band entered into the fun and had dressed up too.

The band was in more formal attire for the Proms in the Park and people brought a picnic, flags and hooters to join in the fun."

Town council direct services manager Sarah Williams was also delighted with both days on consecutive Sundays,

She said: "Both events were superb. The Children’s Prom was even better than last year. I was approached by one mum who came to the event with her three young children who said that she was absolutely delighted to be able to bring her children to event where they could hear classical pieces played by an orchestra. Something she could not afford to do normally.

"The Town Band were brilliant, led by Sharon Lindo and the children also enjoyed the performances by the cast of Annie from the recent Wharf production, led by Eve Williams.

"This Sunday's Proms event was really well attended and the crowd really entered into the spirit of the event – waving flags and tooting horns, there were even party poppers.

"Our thanks to the Town Band and to our soloist Sarah Carroll and pianist Chloe Jordan for putting on such a great event. Thanks also to Fantasy Radio, who broadcast the event live, and support all of our Hillworth Park events."

The only downside was the popularity of the two events once again highlighted parking issues in Queens Road. The town council has asked Wiltshire Council to put more double yellow lines along the road but as yet this has not happened.

Mrs Williams said: "We are trying to manage the parking on a daily basis as we fully understand the pressure it puts on the residents of Queen’s Road and would continue to ask that people walk where possible to the park."