AN 18-hour arts marathon descended on Wotton-under-Edge on Saturday with the return of the Spring into Summer festival.

Entertainment was divided across Under the Edge Arts (UTEA), the Chipping Hall and the Chipping Club Room.

The free festival, which included 34 different acts, returned for its second year to celebrate the best of the arts, from meditation to dance, poetry to rock and song-writing to art therapy.

Martin Clarke, co-chairman of UTEA said: “It was another magical day, thank you to all the artists, musicians and volunteers.

“This was a massive celebratory taster session for local people.

“It's invidious to pick out a highlight but for me the experience of listening to our wonderful Katie Elliott improvising for an hour on piano at six in the morning will live long in the memory.

“Katie put the whole days programme together and we owe her everything. Her rapport with the dawn chorus was magical.”

“I must put a word in for my co-chairman Norman Dadd who played with his talented covers band DBN, and for UTEA Board member Jim Sinkinson who arranged a rehearsed read through of his new play 'A Christmas Box' - congratulations to both friends.”

Organisers estimate that 500 people attended the 18-hour marathon, contributing around £700 in donations and bar profits to the ongoing fundraising by the arts charity.

Spring into Summer showcased the great talent in the area with all ages taking part, with further talented artists to perform at The Edge Factor planned for November 25 at the Bluecoat School.

Wotton-under-Edge’s next major event is the Spring Gardens Art and Sculpture trail on Sunday, April 30 and Bank Holiday Monday, May 1.

For more information visit www.utea.org.uk/news