The founder of a country dance festival for schoolchildren which started in the 1970s was guest of honour at the latest event held in Melksham.

Kathleen MacFerran made her way to the Assembly Hall in Market Place, from her home on the Isle of Man, to help celebrate the 34th year of the Melksham Country Dancers’ event on Wednesday.

There were two sessions for children from 17 schools in Melksham and surrounding towns, with more than 240 children attending during the morning session and 250 during the afternoon.

They were guided through dance moves by Melksham Country Dancers’ members and MC Stan Vice on the mic at the front of the hall.

Mrs MacFerran said: “It’s super coming back like this and seeing all the children for the 34th year and we still have the same caller, Stan, and the same band, Wiltshire Klof, too.

“Some of the children that have taken part over the years have kept a scrapbook and I have seen that today too, which was lovely.”

As well as Mrs MacFerran, guests also included Melksham Town Crier Peter Dauncey and mayor Richard Wiltshire.

For more pictures see this Friday's Wiltshire Times.