It is a year on since Swindon went Radio 1 Big Weekend mad with a host of top stars descending on the town.

Around 40,000 people flocked to Lydiard Park to hear such artists as The Prodigy, N-Dubz,Kasabian, Scouting For Girls, Dizzee Rascal, Akon, Franz Ferdinand and Lily Allen.

Bill Cotton, director of economic development at Swindon Council, said: “I remember the sense of excitement in the town in the build up to the Big Weekend - the place was buzzing with activity and there was a great sense of being in the national spotlight.

“I think the Big Weekend put Swindon on the map in a positive way – that’s its greatest legacy.

“It highlighted wonderful Lydiard Park and showed everyone that Swindon is more than concrete and roundabouts, it helped attract bigger and better bands to the Oasis and develop the local music scene. It showed that the council can really pull off a major event and it helped lift the town’s spirits.’’

Also appearing last year were Swindon’s own music heroes Beatbullyz and Mister Shortee. Following this appearance Beatbullyz rocketed into the national music world, touring with N-Dubz and Scouting For Girls and performing at the Maida Vale Studios with BBC’s Huw Stevens. Beatbullyz, who are Andrew Bully Bullimore, Daniel Bozo Dubose, Stuart Disco Anderson and Phillip Philonious Funk Murphy and new boy Alex Yeoman, are all still based in Swindon.

“It has been an exciting, exuberant whirlwind of a year. Our songs have also been used on Soccer AM and as part of the F1 Japanese grand prix coverage,’’ said Bully.

“The Big Weekend kickstarted us into being known nationally.’’

They were invited back to headline the BBC Introducing Stage at this year’s BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Bangor, North Wales on May 24 and 25. The boys managed to scoop outside funding to set up their own record label which they call Big Weekend Records.

Bozo said: “We were also back on the Hollyoaks’ set filming for the Hollyoaks Music Show, broadcast on TV’s Channel 4 on May 29.’’ The new single is – Skills – is out tomorrow and they are working on a new album.

l Beatbullyz play at Liquid nightclub in Swindon on Tuesday May 25 at 7pm and return to Lydiard Park to headline the Big Arts Day on Saturday, July 10. Tickets are £7 – call 01793 531384.