YOUNG musicians and dancers hope to hit the right note and raise a smile among visitors to a city centre park later this week.

The Sunderland Music International Live Entertainment (Smile) festival proved a success when it was first staged in the newly refurbished Mowbray Park last year.

Designed to showcase the wealth of talent emerging on the city music and dance scene, it was voted a hit among both the audience and the performers.

Bands lined up to play this year include Mavis, Bubbles Pubble Project, Chips and Beans, BNM, Melissa, Sheldon and Metal INC.

Several bands have already attracted attention in the wider music world, with favourable reviews in such publications as Kerrang, the Crack and the North Guide. Record deals have followed but all the performers have continued to turn up for weekly workshops at Sunderland City Centre Detached Youth Project, in nearby Toward Road, where they meet friends and play together.

Organiser Dave Murray said: "The whole emphasis is about providing a musical outlet for young people who would otherwise be knocking about the streets and, in so doing, helping them build up their confidence and self-esteem."

Smile is a partnership between the youth project, Tyne and Wear Museums and Sunderland City Council.

Specially-made banners, at sessions staged by artist Sharon Wilson, will help to add colour to the festival site, while an Elvis impersonator will make a guest appearance to mark the silver jubilee of the musician's death.

Sunderland's mayor, Councillor Peter Gibson, will open Smile on Friday, at noon, and the event is free.