RAIN failed to put a damper on Bolton's first ever Mela at Hayward Leisure Centre recently.

The South Asian cultural festival was organised by the Bolton Mela Group and attracted crowds of up to 2,000 throughout the day.

Unfortunately the bad weather meant the event had to be cut short by a third, but the festival goers still had their spirits lifted by performances from local community artists.

Guest of honour at the Mela was deputy mayor, Cllr Peter Birch, who pledged the council's support for future Melas.

Work on next year's Mela has already begun and anyone wanting to get involved can contact Annie O'Neill at Bolton Metro Arts Unit on 522311 ext 2183.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.