FIRE-BREATHING dancers, street entertainment, story-telling and a Bollywood DJ are coming to Barrow this month as part of a colourful festival.

Families from all over Barrow and South Cumbria can enjoy a day of street entertainment, workshops and food from South Asia at the Festival of Colours.

An exciting mix of storytelling, dance, yoga, street food and music, the day will culminate in the famous coloured-powder-throwing Holi event in Barrow’s town centre where everyone can get very colourful – and messy.

Henna artists will be on hand to create beautiful temporary tattoos and a Bollywood DJ will be on the decks outside the town hall to pump out tunes while a fire-breathing dancer entertains nearby.

The Festival of Colours, organised by Barrow Borough Council, The Forum and Barra Culture ,will feature arts, crafts, food and more from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries.The event will champion diversity in the Borough and create powerful connections between people across the area and those from the subcontinent.

Neeloo Misra, Barrow resident and steering partner for Festival of Colours, said: “Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as Festival of Spring. It signifies the triumph of good over evil. It celebrates the arrival of Spring, the end of Winter, the blossoming of love and colour. It is a festive day to visit family, friends and foes to play and laugh and throw coloured powders on each other, share delicacies, drink and enjoy.

Cllr Shaun Blezard, Barrow Borough Council's lead member for Arts, Culture and Leisure said: "I’m really looking forward to the festival; I love how events of this nature celebrate different cultures and show how we are more similar than different to other people around the globe”.

In the outdoor market space, passers-by can grab Indian street food for a quick bite, or take home a curry for tea. There will be stalls selling Indian goods, hair-braiding, bhindis and jewellery.

The event is taking place on June26 in and around the Forum and market areas.