Residents, families and councillors enjoyed the wide variety of stalls available at the first community mela in Chadwell Heath.

Held at The Majorie Collins Centre, in Grove Road, on Saturday, people enjoyed food and drink, and tried on some of the beautiful clothes on sale.

Redbridge Mayor Cllr Gurdial Bhamra visited the event with the Deputy Mayor Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain.

Cllr Bhamra told the Recorder: “I saw the spirit of enterprise, something I have not seen before, a new spirit was awakening.

“Lots of young ladies were setting up their businesses, it was a fantastic networking event.”

The organiser Shamima Aktar said: “I wish to thank everyone who attended the mela in making it a success.

“We have a multicultural community in Chadwell Heath. We need to celebrate our diversity and learn about each others cultures.”