Fire engines were seen blocking Wood Street on Thursday afternoon - but not in response to an emergency.

The firefighters were instead using their machinery to raise bunting high on the roofs in preparation for Swindon’s Old Town Festival 2024.

Two engines were spotted blocking Wood Street around 4pm.

The festival starts tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, running until Sunday, June 9. It will involve music, a street party, and a week of fringe events.

The festival is returning after a four-year absence, before which it was a staple event in the Old Town calendar each year, running for over 25 years. 

The first weekend of June 1 and 2 will see two big “headline days”, with a Family Fun Day held at Town Gardens on Saturday, with two stages, bandstand musicians and dance groups. 

Sunday’s street party will be there will be “Victoriana” themed, in preparation for which firefighters were seen being lifted high into the sky in cranes. 

From Monday 3 to Sunday, June 9 a whole week of fringe-style events, such as comedy, theatre and performance.

You can find a full schedule here: https://www.thisisoldtown.com/old-town-festival-events