Bright sunshine greeted a bumper crowd at Waltham Forest's 18th Mela.

The celebration took over Aveling Park in Walthamstow, with an estimated 20,000 people enjoying a mixture of performance and partying.

Entertainment came from Pakistani singer Arshad Mahmood, Bhangra folk dancers the Asli Baharan Punjab Diyan group and Britain's own Bollywood-themed Flash Angel Dancers all appeared on stage.

A funfair and stalls also kept visitors happy.

Secretary of the organising committee Narinder Matharoo, said: "I have been amazed and overwhelmed. At 4.30pm I went on to the stage with the Mayor and there was no space left in the park at all.

"This Mela is not just for the Asian people, it is for the whole community. It was a unique day in the life of east London."

Matharoo said the Mela, opened by Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard, was honoured by a surprise visit from the Bangladeshi High Commissioner.

Mayor Laiquat Ali also attended along with council leader Clyde Loakes, deputy leader Keith Rayner and leader of the opposition Matt Davis.

Mr Matharoo said the Mela was going from strength to strength but he wanted to hear new ideas from members of the public to make next year's festival better. Write to him at 5 Brook Crescent, Chingford. E4 9EP with your ideas.

By Sarah Cosgrove

12:16pm Thursday 9th August 2007

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