FAMILIES were all smiles and full bellies as a pop-up food festival returned to North Swindon.

Eats from the Street took over the Orbital Shopping Park yesterday, with half a dozen stalls serving everything from spicy pulled-pork to Polish potato pancakes and Italian ice cream.

It is the fourth time the festival has come to the North Swindon retail park. The park’s owners, British Land, hoped the touring food festival would encourage more people to stay and enjoy the occasional spells of sunshine, rather than speed home in their cars.

Punters backed the festival. Luke Berwick, 23, said: “It brings people to the area. I think it’s a good idea.”

Dad Aaron Devany, 38, from North Swindon, added: “I was having a coffee and I saw it was on. My wife came over with our children. It’s great for the kids; there’s a bit of music and a bit of street food.”

Playing traditional game Connect Four with her grandmother, Kiran Bhui, 29, from West Swindon, said: “I think it’s lovely. It’s different. It’s nice to have something over here rather than in the town centre. It’s a nice family day out.”

Clustered around the Orbital’s new monument commemorating those who built the Spitfire fighter plane in Swindon during the war, half a dozen food stalls competed for customers’ attention.

Organisers laid on stilt-walkers, face painting and live acoustic entertainment. Diners could also hop onto the festival’s souped-up Routemaster bus, which had been converted with diner-style tables and benches.

The festival continues until 5pm today at the Orbital Shopping Park, North Swindon.