The Abhinandana Dance Academy were among those performingThe Abhinandana Dance Academy were among those performing
The Abhinandana Dance Academy were among those performing

Preston Mela 2021: Picture special from the city's popular South Eastern Asian festival

Preston’s popular Mela festival, celebrating South Asian heritage and culture, made its highly anticipated return to the city centre.

The annual festival, which was put on hold last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, returned to the Flag Market to celebrate the rich culture of Asian people living in Preston.

The festival usually takes place between June and July but is being held later than other years due to difficulties in logistics brought on by the pandemic.

And our photographer Neil Cross was there to capture all the sights from the festival.

And our photographer Neil Cross was there to capture all the sights from the festival.