EVERYTHING from sitar sellers to sari skills formed part of Swindon’s annual Asian festival on Saturday.

An estimated 25,000 visitors piled into the Town Gardens for a long afternoon of music, food and crafts from Asia at the Mela.

The attractions occupied almost every part of the park, and among them were swirling fairground rides, two music stages and 36 stalls ranging from the Samaritans to a specialist Indian instrument retailer.

The Showcase Stage, managed by Kamla Ladwa, gave couples a chance to display their sari-dressing abilities by wrapping their loved ones in traditional Indian women’s robes, at an event called Come Bind With Me.

Mina Bhogal, secretary of Swindon Mela Ltd, summed the day up as “colourful, relaxing and loved.”

The 45-year-old co-organiser, who lives in The Prinnels said: “It’s such a relaxing, vibrant atmosphere and very colourful. The Mela complements the Town Gardens.

“A lot of people would have to travel to see some of the things we’ve got here – like rickshaws or kulfi.

“This is an event people really look forward to every year. I know people who save money just to spend it here. It brings a lot of communities together.

“What better way to promote community cohesion than this?”

Mrs Ladwa, 50, of Nythe, who was married to the late founder of the festival, Dhiru Ladwa, said: “The very first year, someone from the council contacted my husband and he came up with the idea.

“It just took hold from then on. He came home saying, probably we’ll have 3,000 to 4,000 people. We had 6,000 to 8,000.

“It’s getting bigger and better, and we try and do something new every year.”

The free festival was Swindon’s ninth annual Mela, and it ran from noon to about 7pm.

Danny McKinstry, 38, of Goddard Avenue, was there for the fourth year alongside his young daughter and pregnant wife.

“It’s a family day, definitely. No signs of trouble at all,” he said.

“I spent a lot of time in Munich, and was always amazed how they can have events like this with no trouble, and usually we can’t. But not here.

“The weather hasn’t been that great this summer, so on a day like today everyone’s out. You do also appreciate the mix of cultures.

“Ten years ago, I think there was still a little bit of animosity, but not now. Everyone just gels.

“The worry about these things is it getting closed down, so it’s good to read the mayor saying ‘this is something which we need to continue’.

IT consultant Tony Hardy, 48, of Marlborough Road, was there with his wife Sam, 39, and their two young children.

“We’ve been coming for the last four years. We like the healing area, and there’s lots of things to do for the children. It’s a good event,” he said.

But he suggested to cut down on the congestion, they could hold it over two days instead of one.

Designer Claire Billesdon, of Ermin Street, Stratton, said: “People slate Swindon a lot for being quite dull, where nothing much happens. This is a good demonstration of embracing different cultures.”

And telecoms consultant Rahul Tarar, 31, of Phoebe Way, Oakhurst, said: “For us, being Indian, it’s an opportunity once a year to enjoy all the food stalls and cultural stalls.

“That’s the main reason I’m here, and it is for lots of English people as well.”