IT'S OFFICIAL this year's Corporate Games has been the biggest and best yet. Organisers say that the Swin-don games have been the most successful since they first began in 1988.

This year's event will now stand as a flagship for games to come. And the games may even make a return to the town.

In total 150 teams, made up of 6,200 competitors took part in the 21 sports, ranging from football to hockey and dragon boat racing to squash.

More people competed than in the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester.

The games brings businesses together with the community and, as the blazing sun shone over Swindon throughout the weekend, the event put smiles on thousands of faces around the town.

UK Corporate Games director Esther Nicholls has been stunned by the level of support the town has shown the event.

She said: "This year has definitely been the biggest and most successful ever.

"That is thanks to Swindon Council who have supported us tremendously. We hit 6,000 spectators, which is fantastic and 90 to 100 per cent of employees from the Swindon companies were here supporting their teams.

"Not only was this year's event such a huge success, but Swindon has also been making records as well.

"Npower entered the biggest ever team in the history of the Corporate Games with 730 competitors."

But the weekend was not just about the sporting action as thousands of Swindon residents flocked to Lydiard Park to enjoy a huge free family festival.

And games managing director Ken O'Bryan says that the games could be coming back to Swindon.

He said: "Five or six years ago we were asked, not by the council but by some businesses, if we would consider holding the games in Swindon.

"We came down to the town to have a look around but we didn't think it was right and then we got the bid from Newcastle so opted for that instead.

"But now after being to Swindon I would certainly consider bringing the games back here in the future.

"I think people have misconceptions about the town. It is a truly brilliant place. The people are friendly and the grounds at Lydiard have just been superb."

Swindon's mayor, Coun Mike Bawden, (Old Town and Lawn) played a large part in making sure the games came to Swindon a year ago as leader of the council.

"We are delighted at how well the weekend has gone, we even had the sunshine.

"The fact that the organisers have said they would consider returning to the town is a testament to its success."

Winners receive their awards

THE closing awards ceremony brought the weekend's Corporate Games to a close last night with a number of Swindon teams gracing the stage.

And while some local companies missed out on the medals, everyone agreed it had been a great event.

Matt Holland formed one half of the smallest team in the competition and walked away with a bronze medal in the over-50s tennis.

The organiser of Swindon's literature festival said: "For a man who spends most of his time in a library, hitting top spin winners down the line and winning matches can't be bad."

Swindon based Nationwide won the top prize for running and team leader Sue Chambers, pictured above, said: "Nationwide has been going to the Corporate Games since 1992 and I think this has been really well organised."

In spite of not making it onto the podium Michelle Breach, team leader from Intel, stayed on for the awards along with a crowd of approximately 100.

Michelle, who played netball, said: "It's been absolutely fantastic. We didn't know what to expect but it grew from me and a few others thinking it would be a good idea to a team of over 240 people."

Swindon Council put out the biggest local authority team ever to play in the games and Stuart Mackenzie, captain of their winning tug-of-war team said: "Everybody involved has enjoyed it and it's been a fantastic few days."