MAIDEN Bradley will now have an annual arts festival following a fantastic first year.

Mel Thomas, chairman of the Memorial Hall where the event was held over the Bank Holiday weekend, said: “It was absolutely brilliant, it exceeded all expectations.

“It was really well-attended and we had people as far away as Poole, Calne and Trowbridge come along – and all the artists exhibiting made sales.

“We had two artists who took part in the Wylye Valley Art Trail this year in the hall.

"Afterwards I asked if we had a few more artists could we hold our own festival – and over the bank holiday weekend we had 10 artists.”

Running from Saturday to Monday between 10am to 4pm, The free event featured number of exhibitions including art created through photography, textiles, paintings and woodturning by both professional and amateur artists.

More than 300 people visited the event over the three days, with almost £600 in donations being raised for the Memorial Hall’s Roof Fund.

Jules Horn, one of the exhibitors who lives in Maiden Bradley, said: “It was just really nice to get together and get to know other artists from the village as some of us didn’t know that the others existed.

“The people coming to the event really enjoyed it and most certainly I’d be looking to have another exhibition at it next year just because I really enjoyed it.

“I think it may encourage creative people in the village to be braver and come forward to showcase their talent as well.”

Mr Thomas added: “The standard of work was unbelievable and for such a small village it’s unbelievable the amount of talent that’s there.

“We’re going to make it an annual event on the August Bank Holiday weekend because it was so well received.

“I’ve already had one or two people from the village say to me they would take part if we did it again.

“Hopefully we can make it an event which continues to grow.”