IP-ART organisers are today celebrating their best ever festival with more than 150,000 people taking part.Preparations are already now under way for for next year's festival which is organised by Ipswich Borough Council and a variety of arts organisations.

IP-ART organisers are today celebrating their best ever festival with more than 150,000 people taking part.

Preparations are already now under way for for next year's festival which is organised by Ipswich Borough Council and a variety of arts organisations.

This year there were more than 60 events around the town.

Judy Terry, borough councillor with responsibility for arts, culture and leisure said: “We were blessed with good weather over the fortnight and an excellent and ambitious programme.

“Our team worked very hard to put this together and they deserve a vote of thanks.

“But Ip-art could not work without our generous sponsors, including National Express, or the many, many thousands who flocked to all manner of events. Now, the hard work starts in earnest to ensure a repeat performance in 2010.”

The planning team is led by Ipswich Borough Council's Events Officer, James Young, and Marketing Officer Lucy Craymer.

Mr Young said: “Fortunately, the council can rely on a superb team of volunteers and partners and this is where much of the behind the scenes and unsung work is done.”

Among the highlights were Ipswich Music Day with an attendance of between 30,000 and 40,000 people, Indian Summer Mela which attracted an estimated 10,000 people, an open air screening of Mamma Mia which was seen by 4,500 people, a live opera screening in the park watched by 1,500 and a screening of Quantum of Solace film screening enjoyed by 1,500 people.

Ip-Art also included the 2009 Ipswich literary lunch, DanceEast's spectacular Spiegel Tent, theatre performances, art shows and exhibitions and music performances.