A riverside spring festival offering fun for the whole family is to take place in Melksham.

The event, organised by Melksham First, will be held in the Bath Road car park and King George V playing field on April 29 from 10am-4pm.

It aims to encourage the community to use this recreation area in the town and will provide entertainment with a variety of displays, stalls and activities.

For a number of years Melksham First has been keen to highlight the riverbank area and persuade people to make use of it.

David Richards, chairman of Melksham First said: "This event is for the community with lots of involvement from local people and local organisations."

The festival has been supported by Wiltshire County Council, Cooper Tires and Kingstons Estate Agents, which has enabled the organisers to make it a free event.

A wide range of activities such as boat trips, quad bikes and children's rides will be on offer along with a falconry display, craft stalls and refreshments.

There will also be musical entertainment provided by 872 promotions and a visit from the GWR FM Black Thunder crew.

Carolyn Beale from Melksham First said: "This is an event with no entrance fee and we want to build on the success of the last time we held it."

The festival first took place at the same venue two years ago and was considered a great success as it attracted several hundred visitors.

This time , organisers will be hoping for better weather. In 2004 a downpour put a dampener on the festivities.

"This year it will be bigger and better," said Mrs Beale.

"There are more events, displays and stalls than last time, and a considerable amount of planning has gone into it to make the day successful."

Adrienne Westbrook, the member of Melksham Town Council involved with Melksham First believes more people in the town should make use of the river.

She said: "I hope this festival will show people how important the River Avon is to Melksham. People don't appreciate the river and what a great resource it is. We need to make certain that it is used to its fullest potential."