SOUTHAMPTON will be spiced up this weekend with its second annual Asian-themed entertainment extravaganza.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the Mela Festival in Hoglands Park on Saturday.

The free, all-day event will give people the chance to sample the sights, sounds and tastes of south Asian culture.

It features a range of music, dancing and arts and crafts from noon until 9pm.

Last year about 8,000 people were entertained and organisers hope to attract even more this weekend. Sally Anne Lowe, from event co-ordinators Art Asia, said: "I think this event means a lot to Southampton and could grow each year.

"What we found last year was that people, because of the location of the festival, would be

shopping and come over to see what was going on.

"We had a wonderful response from so many people who did

not know anything about Art Asia. We have got so many types of music and entertainment on the main stage and also have a lot of other things going on around the park.

"Children can come along and do arts and crafts and there will

be demonstrations of traditional and modern Asian dancing, a

family play area and loads of stalls."

Musical entertainment at this year's event will range from Bhangra, R&B, Bollywood, Asian Fusion, classical and Bengali music.

Miss Lowe said: "The whole point of the Mela Festival is that it's a big celebration of all kinds

of south Asian music and entertainment."

For further details call Art Asia on 023 8022 6212 or 023 80 22 0561.