BLUE rinse wigs, kilts and dozens of umbrellas provided a colourful close to day two of the Business Olympics as the Athletes' Parade got into full swing at Lydiard Park on Saturday evening.

Thousands of competitors sounded claxons and held placards aloft as they gathered in their teams in the top field of the park before snaking their way through to the main amphitheatre of the Corporate Games Village.

It provided a fitting climax to a glorious day of sport, which saw action in all 21 of the events across Swindon.

And athletes were unanimous in describing the games as an overwhelming success.

"We had 234 people in our team, which was fantastic because this is the first time we have entered," said Michelle Breach, team leader for Intel.

"I took part in the netball this morning, which was really good fun. All the other teams were really friendly and it was such a good atmosphere.

"The parade is a really good end to the day and there is a real sense of pride to be part of it.

"The set-up and the organisation has been brilliant and I think the whole games have been good for Swindon's profile."

Just behind Intel in the large corporation group were Swindon-based Nationwide, who also had more than 200 competitors.

Carol Durn, 49, of Freshbrook, was so impressed with her first taste of the Corporate Games she has set her sights on taking on the world.

"It has been a brilliant day," she said. "It could have done with being a bit cooler, but you can't have everything!

"It has brought a lot of the local companies together and we are all flying the flag for Swindon.

"I would definitely take part in the games again and I quite fancy taking in the World Corporate Games in Sri Lanka next."

Making just as much noise in the parade was Swindon Council's 288-strong team, who set a new games record for the largest local authority team.

And the council's team leader Fran Pound paid tribute to everyone involved in the organisation of the sporting weekend.

She said: "I think it has helped to put Swindon on the map.

"We have worked so hard to put the games on you can see from the atmosphere here that everyone is having a really great time.

Mark Farrow, 34, of Reading, was a kilted member of the combined team of mobile phone companies Eriksson and 3.

"All of the rugby team are wearing kilts as we thought it would be quite a fun thing to do," he said.

"The games have been excellent and it's good to be involved in this parade."

IBM joint team leader Ashley Steyn, 26, said there was a simple reason why she came up with the idea of her athletes wearing blue rinse wigs.

"The wigs are cheap as chips," she said. "Everybody has got into the spirit of the parade and all the teams have made a great effort.

"The parade gives the games a real Olympic feel."

Once inside the Corporate Games Village, teams lined up in front of the main stage in the shadow of Lydiard House and were greeted by Mayor of Swindon Coun Mike Bawden.

He congratulated everyone for taking part and thanked Swindon Council and the Corporate Games team for organising the three-day sporting spectacular.

Npower were also praised for entering the largest team in Corporate Games history, much to the delight of their 732 athletes.

And the company's team leader Zoe Eccleston, on the eve of her 40th birthday, was presented with an award from Corporate Games founder Dr Maureen Johnston for her outstanding contribution to the games over the years.

But organisers saved the best till last with the games' famous Great Tennis Ball Hitter.

More than a hundred tennis balls were fired into the crowd, each ball guaranteeing the lucky recipient a prize, with one lucky ball winning a £100 of vouchers for the MacArthurGlen Designer Outlet Centre.

Fun in the sun for everybody

ATHLETES were not the only people to soak up the sun on a jam-packed afternoon at the Corporate Games on Saturday.

Thousands of spectators also flocked to Lydiard Park to catch a glimpse of some of the sports on offer and to sample the atmosphere of the family festival in the heart of the Corporate Games Village.

And many onlookers praised organisers for a superb day's entertainment.

"I think it is absolutely fantastic," said Lorraine Percy, of Grange Park.

"I have seen so many youngsters down here and something like this really brings them together.

"To see Swindon put something like this together is unbelievable.

"It is like the Olympics with the parade and I don't honestly think the organisers have failed on anything.

"The entertainment has been great and the best thing is it's all free."

Lorraine's son Ben, 12, was also impressed and described the games as better than Party in the Park.

"Last night was really cool," he said. "I really liked DJ 10Shott, but everything was good. I think it was even better than Party in the Park."

And Hannah Morgan, 17, of Lyneham, said that the games had also left her surprised by the amount of entertainment on offer.

"I was really surprised by how big it was," she said. "I didn't think something so big could be down at Lydiard Park.

"I came down because I heard there were some bands playing, but after seeing all the teams like Intel and IBM in the parade it looks like good fun and I would like to get involved myself one day."

Damien Phillips, 19, of Grange Park, was also impressed. "I'm really enjoying it," he said after watching the athletes' parade.

"I like music and sport, but there is something for everyone here."

Lizzie Duffy, 25, of Freshbrook, travelled from London to watch the action.

"I came down to watch my brother play in the football, so I've been here all day.

"It's an awesome event and it's great for Swindon as a whole to host such a large corporate competition.

"I've watched quite a few bands since I've been here, but I particularly liked the rapper from Wolverhampton."