A community festival to promote all things green in Bradford on Avon has been hailed a great success by those involved.

The Breathe Festival was held last Saturday and Sunday and saw some 4,000 people pass through to browse stalls, listen to talks, take part in workshops and enjoy the good weather.

Local businesswoman Laura Brennand, 33, was behind the event, which was the first of its kind and combined the annual Health and Wellbeing weekend and the Bradford on Avon Green Fair to create one big festival.

She said: “It was really fantastic and the weather was really good. We had lots of stalls and lots of therapists giving free treatments.

“We have been running the Health and wellbeing weekend for the last four years and this year we needed to move it as it used to be held in the centre of town, in Westbury Gardens, but it was growing and becoming very popular.

“So we linked up with the Bradford on Avon Green Fair and moved it to Barton Farm Country Park.”

Mrs Brennand explained that the weekend had been very much a family affair and the free event saw a ‘hug a hen’ corner for children and a presence from Dorothy House hospice, Wiltshire Scrap Store, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, WaterAid and Forever Living Products.

Talks included those on ethical shopping, healing techniques and how to take a greener type of holiday.

Saturday night was topped off with a live Bhangra band called RSVP.

Mrs Brennand, who owns Inspiration, a beauty and holistic therapy centre in Market Street, said: “There was no drama and everything ran smoothly.”

The non profit-making event was funded through the stall holders who paid to use space at the festival.

Recycling charity Refurbiz also stopped by at the festival with their washing machines in tow.

Members of the charity are currently taking it in turn to cycle a washing machine 160 miles along the Wiltshire cycleway, stopping in towns such as Westbury and Melksham along the way.

The sponsored ride, which started on May 8 was launched by Wiltshire Council’s Chief Executive, Keith Robinson.