Trowbridge's first arts festival has been hailed a success after more than two weeks of events, exhibitions and performances.

In total more than 70 events were held, including a burlesque night, writing workshops, open mic nights, art exhibitions and performances from big names including comedian Lee Hurst and renowned guitarist Gordan Giltrap.

Tracey Sullivan, one of the trustees of the arts festival, said: “It went really well, I think it was a huge success. We’re thrilled with the atmosphere it created, there was a real buzz in Trowbridge. The key acts had really good attendance, some of the workshops sold out, we’re really pleased with it.”

Mrs Sullivan said the festival has broken even and she hopes it will have made a small profit, funds which will be used to plan next year’s event.

Mrs Sullivan said: “We haven’t finalised everything yet because we had a number of ticket outlets, but it’s looking good. Certainly we’ve broken even and possibly even done a bit better, and we’ve got some money in the bank ready to look at next year.”

The committee received £5,000 in funding from Trowbridge Town Council, £5,000 from Trowbridge Area Board and £2,500 from firm Legal and General, which owns Castle Place Shopping Centre and is redeveloping the St Stephen’s Place site to create a cinema, hotel and restaurants. Mrs Sullivan added: “I think the film premiere at the town hall was incredible, that was a real spectacle and the big acts, Lee Hurst, Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman had a lot of people there.

“Some things probably worked better than others, but there was nothing that we felt really was a disaster.”

The committee plans on having a wrap party this weekend, but has already started thinking about building on the festival’s initial success next year.

Mrs Sullivan said: “We’re looking at dates for next year, we will be doing it again. We’ve had some good feedback. We think arts can make a real difference to the perception of Trowbridge. All these things really help.”

l On September 21 there was a special opening of the Trowbridge Community Sensory Garden, off Park Road, as part of the festival. The evening, titled Singing in the Round was part of Alzheimer Support’s awareness day featured hundreds of candles in the gardens.