THE contribution of black Britons to the county's cultural heritage is being celebrated in Southampton.

Black History Month was launched at the Civic Centre when schoolchildren from across the city gave special poetry recitals.

Leading race issue speaker Bob Purkiss, chairman of the EU's European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, also gave a talk on the initiative.

Throughout October a range of events, arranged by the city council and city-based groups, will be taking place in Southampton.

Various exhibitions are to be held at the Civic Centre, including ones on black footballers at Saints over the past 60 years, people of mixed heritage and black authors.

There will also be concerts taking place over the next two weeks.

City council project worker Loren Yorke said: "This is going to be a real permanent fixture in Southampton and I'm sure it will get bigger and bigger every year.

More information, contact Don John on 023 8083 2274.