A GOAN barbecue, Caribbean curry and Spanish paella made by the man responsible for feeding Michael Jackson on his Bad tour could be coming to Broadgreen.

The area is hosting its first ever street food festival in June, with hundreds expected to enjoy the smells and tastes of world cooking.

The festival - backed by South Swindon Parish Council - will showcase the cooking from central Swindon's hugely diverse communities.

Already signed up are a piri-piri chicken restaurant and Caribbean curry house - with more retailers being approached every day. 

"The idea is to have stalls on the streets doing street food," said organiser Gifty Tawiah at a parish council meeting last night. "It's an opportunity for people to get together, using food as the basis of it.

"I'm currently on the lookout for a fish and chip van. If it's the last thing I do, I'm getting good quality fish and chips at this event." 

The day-long festival will also see entertainment from local groups and bands - with the pounding rhythms of Swindon Samba already signed up to the event. The police will attend, along with a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service fire engine.

It will see the roads surrounding the Broadgreen Community Centre - Gladstone Street, Salisbury Street and Broad Street - shut for the day. But organiser Gifty said that residents affected by the closure were being kept informed.

Site security and emergency paramedic firms have already been hired. The council is yet to grant a temporary events license - although organisers have already secured permission to serve alcohol.

The Broadgreen food festival will be on Saturday, June 16, 11am-4pm.