THIS year’s Middlesbrough Mela is expected to be the biggest ever when it moves to its new town centre location.

The two-day festival promises a mix of music, food, fashion and fun in the town’s annual celebration of culture and diversity.

Centre Square will be the location for a weekend of world class music, a wide range of entertainment, a fun fair and the popular Mela Bazaar, packed full of stalls.

Committee chairman Naveed Hussain said: “The Mela is an annual celebration of everything that’s great about Middlesbrough, and the huge crowds it attracts every year are a testament to its popularity.

“The festival is a terrific showcase for the huge depth of cultural variety that we have here in Middlesbrough, and I am sure it will continue as an annual highlight for many years to come.”

Headline musical act is H-Dhami, the Asian music industry’s current hot property, while the Mela organisers have also secured his father Palvinder Dhami’s legendary bhangra band Heera. For the first time, father and son will perform on the stage together.

Sunday sees a line up of international music acts join host Bobby Friction on the main stage including H-Dhami, Heera, Navin Kundra, the Notorious Jatt, Elena Catalano and Kee.

Organisers are also looking for a Teesside band or dance group to perform on Saturday. Anyone interested should call 01642-729135 or email events@middlesbrough.gov.uk Entry to the event, open from noon to 7pm on both Saturday and Sunday, is free.

For more details about the Mela visit www.boromela.co.uk