THE GROWING cultural diversity of the North-East was reflected in a popular festival staged in the region yesterday.

Thousands of visitors flocked to Cliff Park, near the seafront at Roker, Sunderland, to sample the range of music, dance and food at the second annual Revolution event.

Backed by the Northern Region of the TUC, it was billed as a bridge-building event to break down cultural barriers.

There was something for all tastes, from bangra to more traditional Indian music, hip-hop, rock and R & B.

Among the bands live on stage were Genius Gza, Mad Professor and Future Hits.

Apart from a brief rain shower the weather remained kind to the day-long event.

Organiser Rehana Azam, who chairs the TUC race advisory committee in the region, said it had been a big success.

"We want to bring cross sections of the community together and make this a celebration for everyone to enjoy themselves."

She said the message of the festival was: "We're a proud region, proud of our diversity, and collectively we want to work together to end racism and facism in our region."

Ms Azam said this year's event was a step up from last year, when it was staged indoors at the banqueting suite at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

"We outgrew that and it could be we need a bigger site next year.

"This has become an annual event and it can only get bigger and more diverse."

She said all the feedback from event-goers had been positive.

Published: ??/??/2004