In a sensational coup, organisers of Swindon's Wiltshire Festival to be held at the end of August have added Classical Brit Award winner teenage soprano phenomenon Charlotte Church to an already strong line-up for the weekend of classical and pop music.

The 14 year old who shot to fame early in 1999 enjoyed herself so much at the Wiltshire Festival Classical Extravaganza night last year that she has agreed to make a return visit on Friday 25 August 2000.

Since her appearance in Swindon last year, Charlotte has performed the largest commercial ever aired with the Ford Millennium Anthem "Wave Hello". The advertisement was beamed to 300 million homes around the world on block booked television airtime known as a 'Global Roadblock' at an estimated cost of £6,000,000.

She was a presenter at the Dove Awards in Nashville and the MTV Awards in New York.

Charlotte was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Brit Awards in March and she won the award for "British Artist of the Year" at the Classical Brit Awards in May, also being nominated for the Young Artist Award.

Her second album simply entitled 'Charlotte Church' has sold millions of copies worldwide, out-selling her debut album 'Voice of an Angel.'

Late in 1999 she sung at the Rugby World Cup in the Millennium Stadium in her home town Cardiff. And that's where she stayed, with her family, on Millennium night, rather than accept offers to sing for the Pope or President Clinton.

Charlotte Church will join the English National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jae Alexander, the London Community Gospel Choir and world renowned bass baritone Willard White. Soprano Maria Kesselman will draw the night to a close with all the traditional Last Night of the Proms pomp, revelry and spectacular fireworks.

Win tickets to the Classical Extravaganza at the end of this story

Wilts Fest put back a week to fit in STEPS

Crisis hit the Wiltshire Festival at the end of April when Party in the Park headline act STEPS announced they were pulling out to make an appearance in the USA, despite a signed contract and money in the bank.

However the problem was resolved when the group, voted the 'Best Live Selling Act' in 1999 at the recent Brit Awards, agreed to appear in Swindon the following Sunday. Amazingly Lydiard Park and all the other acts for the weekend were available, so the whole festival was shifted a week to:

Friday 25 August - Classical Extravaganza Sunday 27 August - Party in the Park

Organiser Andy Cotton said, "to have the biggest act ever at the Wiltshire Festival walking away from us after a quarter of the tickets had been sold was a bit frightening. Thankfully we were able to work out a deal; it's incredible that everybody was able to rearrange their schedules." Joining STEPS for Party in the Park are a whole raft of current chart achieving acts The Vengaboys, Fierce, Atomic Kitten and Scooch. Swindon girl group with a great future, Esensual, are being given their big break as well.

For the more mature in the audience ex-Spandau ballet heart throb Tony Hadley returns after a massive set at last year's festival. Also appearing will be Motown legend Edwin Starr, performing some of his all time great soul classics.

Ticket prices booked before 31 July: Classical Extravaganza £18. Under 9s £5.

Party in the Park £19. Under 9s £10.

All tickets are subject to a booking fee and are available from Link and Oasis centres, and Swindon Information Centre.

The credit card hotline is open seven days a week 11am to 9pm: 01285 862858.

Win a pair of tickets to the Classical Extravaganza on 25 August.

We have 4 to give away to those who can tell us the winner of the Brit Award for top female classical artist in 1999.

Post your answers to The Link, Papermakers House, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7BD or e-mail: linkmagazine@compuserve.com by 25 July.