Swindon Talent ’10 is hopping on board The Big Arts Day at Lydiard Park.

The one day festival marking arts, music and creativity is on Saturday, July 10 and the talent contest kicks off at noon.

Head of Culture at Swindon Council, Helen Miah, said: “It is great to have the opportunity to find hidden talent because you never know where it may be lurking.

It is fantastic opportunity to perform in front of such a wide audience. I hope the contestants have all been rehearsing for the heat.’’ Organisers are expecting between 5,000 and 7,000 people to attend the Big Arts Day when there will be a chance to get arty and crafty with a number of taster sessions and workshops such as African drumming and enjoy the stilt walkers and roving magicians.

There will be musical instruments to pick up and have a go on, art trails to discover and storytelling to enchant.

There is a comedy tent which also showcases circus skills, an arts and craft marquee, a dance music zone with boom box and DJ workshops, musical theatre and dance displays, poetry, samba bands and a youth music tent.

The Sugarhill stage plays host to a number of Swindon bands strutting their stuff throughout the day.

The day will end with a big bang as the main stage welcomes BBC Radio 1 Introducing stars, the local music heroes, Beatbullyz, who are Bully, Bozo, Disco, Philonious Funk and Alex.

Helen said: “It is great to have a Swindon band big enough to headline. This may be the last time we can see Beatbullyz at a free concert because they are going to be big.’’ Farmers’ market stalls will be selling their wares and there will be bars and refreshment stalls.

Helen is also hoping to break the bunting world record, in association with Swindon Does Art. The current record stands at 2,158m. Helen is urging everyone to take up the challenge.

“It’s a great way of bringing different age groups together – a community event,’’ she said.

The finale is a light show against the back drop of Lydiard House.

The festival is free entry and runs from noon until 10.30pm.

How to enter Swindon Talent '10

l Purton Carnival on Friday, June 4, at 7.30pm. Contact: kevin@purtoncarnival.co.uk, 07768 456989

l Highworth Warneford School, on Saturday, June 5, at 7pm, phone 01793 762197

l Old Town Festival, on Sunday, June 27, at 11.30am, phone 01793 642368

l Lydiard Park, on Saturday, July 10, at noon, phone 01793 465353

l Wootton Bassett School, on Saturday, July 24, at noon, phone 01793 841900 There will also be an open mic heat at the Arts Centre in Old Town on Tuesday, July 6 from 6pm where artists can just turn up on the night. Phone 01793 466565

The finals will be held at the Wyvern Theatre on Sunday, August 8. The contest is run in collaboration with the Swindon Advertiser, Swindon 105.5, Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre.

To enter Swindon Talent ‘10 log on to www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/talent10 or call the venue for entry forms.

l Rules:

Every act needs to perform for four minutes and must be amateur, not earn their living by entertainment, and live or work in Wiltshire.

Entry is open to any age, but under 16s need signed permission from a parent or guardian. Organisers have the right to refuse entries if health or safety is considered at risk.