VISITORS to this year’s Swindon Mela can get a free health check alongside learning more about Asian culture.

Health experts will attend tomorrow’s annual celebration to give information, advice and basic assessments.

The idea behind the stand, run by NHS Swindon, is to make residents lead a healthier life.

Services offered include taking people’s blood pressure, testing carbon monoxide levels, looking at patients’ body mass Index, testing blood glucose levels, testing people’s lung age compared to their actual age, and providing advice on other issues, such as sexual health.

There is even an opportunity to find out more about a career in the health service with a recruitment stand.

Dr Jenny Harries, the joint director of public health for NHS Swindon and Swindon Borough Council, said: “The Swindon Mela is a fantastic opportunity for people to find out what their local health service offers and how the services can benefit them.

“It also allows us to talk to different communities and cultures within our diverse population about issues that affect their culture, enabling us to improve our services to better suit the needs of all.”

Saturday’s Swindon Mela is an all-day celebration of Asian arts and culture, including dance, fashion, music, food and alternative therapies, which attracted a record 20,000 people last year.

It is held in the Town Gardens, in Old Town and, although the weather looks changeable with the temperature set to reach a maximum of 21 degrees with sunny intervals, Mela organisers promise the event will be better than ever.

The principal attraction this year will be Sukshinder Shinda, the 2008 UK Asian Music Awards double winner, who will perform on the main stage on the Saturday evening.

There will be a range of Asian dancing and music throughout the day, which runs from noon.

But for those wishing to learn about the Asian lifestyle there will be a range of activities funded by the Community Development Foundation held between the rose garden and the bandstand.

There will be workshops with demonstrations on turban tying and playing the dhol drum from the Swindon Gurdwara.

There will also be demonstrations of sari tying and bridal wear and Swindon Asian Women’s Association will show off mehndi, a form of body art used on special occasions.

The Nepalese Association of Wiltshire will provide displays of photography, artifacts, costume and information from their country.

And Melba Sheffield will show visitors how to create authentic Asian dishes.

Swindon Goan Association will be leading a tournament for Asian board game Carrom.

To find out more visit www.

swindonmela.com.