YOUNG talent was given a chance to shine at this year's finale to Shipston Proms, with teenage Fame contest junior winners Mad Sax joined by Chipping Campden School Swing Band to help entertain hundreds in the town square.

But a rowdy element of youngsters in the audience nearly spoiled the show.

"They had clearly had too much to drink and made a nuisance of themselves but thankfully they didn't cause any disruption to the show and performers," said chairwoman of the organising committee Penny White.

"We were a bit disappointed with their behaviour. They were the worse for wear with drink but there was no heckling or vandalism. We had security staff and police there so there was no real trouble.

"We hold the last night of the Proms for everyone to enjoy themselves, but these young people should have been a bit more mindful of other people in the audience. A lot of them were not from Shipston at all."

This year's event also saw the biggest clean-up necessary in the history of the Proms week, with piles of litter, bottles, cans, and plastic glasses strewn around the town square, Sheep Street and Granville Court.

"The show ends at midnight and we are usually home by 1am after clearing up, but we were still there at 2.30am," reported Mrs White.

"There were huge quantities of litter this time, even though there were plenty of bins around. Committee member and farmer Matt Stevens brought a tractor along to help us move it."

The problems will be discussed at a debriefing of the Proms 10-strong organising committee on July 26.

"These problems should not detract from the event as a whole," stressed Mrs White.

"There was a great turnout for the last night, the weather was superb and the show went very well. So did all the other events. The Proms cost us £5,500 which meant a lot of fundraising, and I would like to thank all our sponsors.

A plea has gone out to residents to make sure the town is looking its best for judging of the Shipston in Bloom entry in the annual Heart of England in Bloom contest on Monday, July 17.

Volunteers will gather at Clark House at 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday for a final tidy of the public areas around the town.