IT was a fortuitous meeting in 1964 which led to the creation of the annual Billingham International Folklore Festival.

Over those four decades, the now world-famous event has played host to thousands of singers, musicians and dancers from across the world, superb performers who give hundreds of hours to hone to perfection their interpretation of the songs, music, dances and traditions of their country or region.

In the early 1960s, Billingham Urban District Council had developed its new traffic-free shopping centre, encouraging local people to shop there instead of in Stockton or Middlesbrough.

One of its initiatives was to provide live entertainment for shoppers.

In the summer of 1964, a group of Irish dancers performed in Billingham Town Square. Their director was Philip Conroy, a Sunderland teacher, who told some local councillors who had stopped to watch that he and his group had just returned from performing in Europe.

He explained that in many Continental countries, at venues very similar to the Billingham centre, groups of performers from different parts of Europe were encouraged to meet and perform.

Councillor, now Alderman, Harry Davies, chairman of Billingham International Folklore Festival, liked the concept. With his support, and with Mr Conroy taking up the post of director of the Billingham International Folklore Festival, the first three-day gathering presented groups from Austria, Estonia and Hungary.

Despite these humble beginnings, it is now recognised as a world leader in its field and was even a founder member of CIOFF, the international organisation of the world's folklore festivals.

The list of groups that want to be selected to appear at Billingham has grown longer and longer.

In this 40th year, thanks to sponsorship from Northern Rock, there are an unprecedented 12 groups.

Four hundred overseas visitors will entertain at Billingham, accompanied by UK representatives Billinda (Billingham International Youth Dancers), Billingham Silver Band, Black Swan Rapper and Newton Aycliffe Pipes and Drums.

The success of the festival is attributable not only to Harry Davies, whose support has been enduring, but also to its current director and artistic director, Joe and Olga Maloney.

Mr Maloney, who has worked for the festival for more than 30 years, admitted the event had not been without its hiccups.

"A local radio presenter once asked a Sicilian group if they had any Mafia connections," he said. "As you can imagine, that didn't go down too well."

This year's festival starts on Saturday and runs until August 14.

For more information contact (01642) 553220 or log on to www.billingham festival.co.uk