CULTURES the world over converged on Swindon at the weekend as the County Ground played host to the town’s annual African Festival.

The event, which is now in its third year, saw dancers, musicians and food producers entertaining and feeding revellers young and old.

The family fun day, which helped raise cash for Cancer Research UK, offered face painting stalls for the kids and henna and hair braiding by Makeup Mama Nadia Stawarz.

Providing the entertainment were London-based Igba Masquerade Dancers, GGU Little Sunshine Dancers and the Moo and Jemmy Dancers.

Sue Cox, 45, from West Swindon, had just finished having a pretty henna tattoo painted on her right hand when she said: “Me and a few friends were looking for something to do today and thought we’d come down and see what it’s all about.

“I’m quite impressed. There’s a lot going on and it’s great for the kids.”

Nigerian-born Mary Abiso, 46, who lives in the town centre, has been to the festival every year for the past three years.

She said: “It’s wonderful to see people celebrating Africa and lots of different cultures. We are all one and I’m so proud to say I’m British-Nigerian.

“I’ll be here right through until it finishes tonight and I can’t wait to see all the performers.”