PREPARATIONS are hotting up for the 5th Preston Mela set for Sunday August 5 on Avenham Park, Preston, from noon to 9pm.

As always the free festival of South Asian culture is expected to provide a feast of family entertainment featuring the Bhangra group Sohotas and Indian Group Hangama.

A 35-piece samba band will keep crowds on their feet with a burst of toe-tapping rhythms while there will be classical and film dance and two fashion shows. The event features a host of family entertainment including fun fair, bouncy castle, workshops, face painting, circus skills, sports activities, stalls and catering.

It is funded by Preston Borough Council and Lancashire County Council arts unit while the North West Arts Board put up the cash for workshops on the day to produce colourful banners, displays and workshops.

A host of organisations sponsor the event and a Rangoli Mela residency has been commissioned this week involving Indian artist Ranbir Kaur and local schools and groups including the Gujurat Hindu Society, Sahara and the Harris Museum & Art Gallery.

Chairman of the Mela Steering Group, Vali Patel said, "The Mela now has a growing reputation as a prestigious, quality and enjoyable event featuring South Asian arts and culture for all sectors of the community."