SHIPSTON witnessed its biggest ever street party in the square for the Last Night Of The Proms at the weekend.

The final Shipston Proms event on Saturday marked the end of a 17-day festival of music in churches, pubs and halls across the town and the surrounding villages.

Proms Fame Contest winners Amy Joynes, and Me, Him, And The Others opened up the show on Saturday (July 5), and were followed by folk-rockers Leatherat who got the audience dancing to their fiddle led rhythms while U2UK finished the evening off in fine style.

Now in its 16th year, this year's festival had 35 different events including a Musical Family Picnic, local Primary Schools Concert, Steel Band Academy, a Lunchtime Organ Recital and songs from the shows.

Proms Chairman Tim Porter said: "This has been the most successful Proms to date and all the events were well attended which provides a strong platform for next year.

"On the last night we had a lot of people in the square probably at least 1,500. It's hard work from our point of view but it's well worth it and gets much interest. We've had interest from all sides of the community which is good."

Mr Porter also paid tribute to some of the acts at this year's event.

"The standard of musicianship in the High School has increased dramatically over the last few years, and we like to feel that we have played a part in it," he said.

"Battered Soul, Shipston High School soul band, now play at quite a few concerts in the area, and they were an entrant in the Proms Fame Contest last year.

"The Elvis Show was really good, Lee Memphis King was a sell out."