A MULTI-CULTURAL festival returned to an Eastleigh park at the weekend after being cancelled last year due to COVID.

On Sunday, the Eastleigh Mela took place on Leigh Road Recreation Ground offering an “eclectic mix” of food stalls and performers including tribute bands RU40 and the Rollin Stoned being joined by Taz Stereo Nation.

Other acts include Sazia Judge, a Punjabi singer from Birmingham, New Forest Medlars and Chinese, Irish and Bhangra groups from the South Coast.

Festival co-ordinator Mohammed Mossadaq said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day.

“The event attracted far more people than we had excepted but we managed to keep it Covid-secure.

“The weather was sunny and we had families bringing picnics and staying all day. We had a fantastic mix of people from the Caribbean, India, Nepal and China.

He added: “It was hard work putting event together in eight weeks [due to changing government guidance] but it was amazing too see the community being together having a good time.

“Just bringing a sense of happiness and fun because we’ve had a terrible year and a half.

“We were all shattered by the end but it was well worth it.”

The free event was described by Eastleigh Business Improvement District (BID) as a “true family festival, offering something for everyone to enjoy.”

Saints legend Matt Le Tissier also appeared as a guest of honour and was pictured having his photo taken with visitors.