REGGAE fans of all ages turned out in force for Swindon’s annual Jamaican-themed party at the scenic Old Town Bowl.

Around 1,000 people made the most of the sunshine on Saturday as Notting Hill Carnival favourites Saxon Sound got the crowd dancing.

The British reggae giants played a set encompassing their bespoke dub plates, modern Jamaican ‘bashment’ and Bob Marley.

Two live bands and veteran singer Earl Sixteen got proceedings underway at the picturesque venue in the Town Gardens.

Liz Cheshire, 47, a company director, was with 24 friends who came to celebrate her sister-in-law’s 50th birthday.

Liz, from Highworth, said: “It’s lovely to see so many people enjoying such a friendly atmosphere.

"It’s the first time I’ve been to the Bowl and it’s a great spot. The adults are enjoying the music and having a beer and a dance while the kids have been making reggae reggae loom bands.”

Liz was with daughter Ruby, nine, and niece Katie, 10, who also visited the face-painting stall.

The family of Mickey T, nicknamed the ‘white Rasta’, wore T-shirts in his memory and believe he would have been smiling down on them as they enjoyed the festival.

He passed away two months after the 2012 event, when he told the Adver how much he had enjoyed celebrating the music he had listened to for 40 years.

His daughter Sarah Titcombe, 43, was just two weeks pregnant with her daughter Mickaya at the time – and brought the 16-month-old to the festival for the first time this year.

Sarah, a cheque cashier from Rodbourne, said: “This year was the first time I’ve felt able to come back. Mickey never met his grand-daughter but it was lovely to bring her along. She already loves reggae music.”

Chris Hill, 38, a salesman from Highworth, was at the concert with the Titcombe family.

He said: “It’s my first year at the event and it’s great to see such a mix of cultures and colours.

“Mickey T would be looking down with a big smile on his face knowing the reggae lives on.”

Graffiti art and Jamaican food served by Old Town’s Moshan Island Grill provided distractions on the sidelines.

Colin Cole, of Swindon’s own Terrorist Nuclear sound system, played a DJ set at the event. He said: “It’s amazing how big the Reggae Garden has grown and the range of people it attracts.

“The quality of the headline acts every year is really surprising. Saxon are the reason I got into sound system music and I still have their cassettes at home. It’s an honour and a privilege to play alongside them.”

AJ Mayhew, who organised the day along with fellow Swindonian Paul Bullimore, said around 1,000 people attended the event.

- report by Josh Layton