Culture and diversity will be on show at 18th Mela festival in Leamington

Now in its 18th year The Mela Festival of Arts, which takes place at the Pump Room Gardens from noon to 6pm, will feature Punjabi music, signing and dance.

Artists and dancers on the bill include the Desi Boys, Miss Kamal and Raman Deep Dancer, Kashmir Furtita, Rana Sahota and Garry Sandhu.

Mohan Singh Sandhu, chairman of the Mela committee, said: “The Mela has become an annual event in the calendar of Leamington and Warwick.

“It gives us a chance to share our rich culture with the host community.

“It’s an opportunity to promote better relations and understanding between people of different backgrounds and encourage a spirit of harmony and co-operation.

“We have a full programme and I hope that all will be able to experience the different flavours of India and have a really great time.”

Presenters from the BritAsia television channel will host the Mela.

Along with the entertainment there will be food and informations stalls, a fundraising raffle for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and addresses by Warwick mayor Cllr Trudy Offer, Leamington mayor Cllr Alan Wilkinson, Warwick District Council chairman cllr Felicity Bunker and Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White.

Mr White said: “The Mela cultural festival is a fantastic celebration that brings together various groups, organisations and people which make up the wonderfully diverse cultural community within the Warwick and Leamington constituency.

“The fact that this festival has been running for 18 years shows our area’s rich heritage and the power that culture has in bringing people together.”

Admission is free.