MORE than 20,000 people got in the carnival spirit as BigFest returned to Hillingdon.

Crowds poured onto the streets of Uxbridge on Sunday, October 9 as professional street artists and community groups entertained and delighted the crowd in the third annual BigFest carnival.

The day started at midday and featured professional street art shows, a community showcase, a free hands-on interactive workshop village, and a massive carnival parade between the Civic Centre and Belmont Road, in the High Street.

Sandra Bruce-Gordon, head of the arts service at Hillingdon Council said: "We are absolutely delighted at the huge numbers attending the event this year and at the support given to the professional and community artists, there was tremendous energy and enthusiasm throughout the whole day. BigFest is becoming an important date for everyone's diary."

Singers, the audience, parade and artists alike joined in a vocal explosion finale to Big Fest 2005. Fusing Bhangra brass, percussion and inspired by South African harmonies, composer and singer Juliette Russell worked with up to 40 people from a range choirs.

The festival was presented by Hillingdon Council, the Pavilions and Chimes Shopping Centres, Healthy Hillingdon, Baroosh and a lottery award from Arts Council England.