A NEW steering group has been created to produce and promote Swindon Arts Jazz Festival 2002.

Maurice Fanning, chairman of Swindon Arts Festivals, said: "This year's festival caught the imagination and showed that Swindon can produce the goods from year to year.

"Now the job is to grow, and our motto for next year is 'bigger and better'."

The group has already held its first meeting and members of the steering group under the Swindon Arts umbrella include Maurice Fanning, chair of Swindon Arts Festivals; John Winterflood, board member of Swindon Arts Community Fund; Martin Warnes, of Martin Warnes Designs Id Co SACF; Rosa Matheson, director of Swindon Arts Festivals; John Sudbury, director of Sudburys; Hannah Champion, marketing manager of Westfields Shoppingtown; Iona Carter, marketing manager of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Great Western; Bernie Maguire, Town Centre manager; Chris Piper of Old Town Business & Professional Association; Ricky Hunt and Ray Butt, directors of Swindon Jazz Ltd; plus Representatives of Swindon Jazz Society.

Ray Butt, spokesman for Swindon Jazz Ltd, said: "Swindon Jazz Ltd is committed to ensuring that jazz is ever present in Swindon and we are delighted once again to be part and parcel of what promises to be a fun affair."