The “biggest and best” festival showcasing musical talent in Swindon is returning this week, and excitement is growing among organisers and attendees.

The free volunteer-run Swindon Shuffle brings a huge variety of original music and other events to venues around the town.

This year’s roster of rock bands, singers and other events will run from Thursday, 12, to Sunday, 15, September to raise money for Prospect Hospice.

Co-organiser and committee chairperson, Ed Dyer, said: “I am excited as always, it is a great event.

“It's just fantastic to have this opportunity to show off what is so great about music in Swindon, highlight their talent, their abilities and things for the wider market and let Swindon know what's going on.

“It raises money for charity and is just a fun event to bring together so many musicians and connect them with a great audience.

While the event “began in a pub, sketched out on the back of a cigarette packet” in 2007, it has grown to include more venues, genres and non-music, so-called fringe events, such as talks and exhibitions.

This year’s music venues, all in Old Town, include The Victoria, The Castle, The Tuppenny, The Hop Inn and The Beehive.

Genres range from synth-pop, folk, blues, grunge and all varieties of rock.

Fringe events will occur at the Eternal Optimist, Baristocats, the Eastcott Community Centre and the Central Library.

They include a talk from Jeremy Lune, CEO of Prospect Hospice, a quiz, DJ nights as well as the one Ed is most excited for, an exhibition of Swindon’s musical history at the Central Library.

He said: “It's fascinating and it's incredible to see the place music in Swindon has had nationally and internationally in the distant past.”

The name is inspired by the intention that the crowd was to "Shuffle" between music venues on one particular night to watch a variety of acts performing.

The full line-up and timings can be found on the Swindon Shuffle website.

The first live music events start at 7pm on Thursday, September 12, and last until 11.30pm at the latest. On the weekend, events run through the afternoon at some venues.

Some fringe events have already begun, with some of the DJ events running until 2am.

All festival events are free, with funding coming from sponsorships - this year’s headline sponsor is UK Research & Innovation. However, donations are welcome.