The Mela - the biggest and most colourful event in Bradford's calendar - wrought its magic again as tens of thousands of visitors flocked to Peel Park.

The dry, sunny conditions were perfect for the festivities and numerous ice cream vans parked about the site did a roaring trade.

The crowds - estimated by organisers as 30,000 on Saturday and even higher yesterday - were able to see both home-grown and international performers like Indian dancer Tharsha Varathalingam, pictured, on three separate stages.

The musical performances ranged from the African rhythms of Mighty Zulu Nation to plenty of energetic bhangra and even a fusion group bringing together flamenco guitar and tablas in a performance that pretty well summed up the spirit of the multi-cultural party.

Hungry visitors had a great choice of delicacies at a wide range of exotic food outlets while those wanting to shop could browse colourful clothing stalls.

Also provided was an arts and crafts area for young children, a women's area and a kabbuddi pitch (for Asian wrestling).

The Bradford International Festival Company, in charge for the second year running, were highly pleased with the weekend, despite a series of last-minute hitches involving performers.

Indian classical singer Laiba Ali was a no-show - apparently because she had not been able to secure a visa for travel to the UK - while Saturday headline act Apache Indian was more than an hour late on stage due to a traffic hold-up on the motorway.

Junoon, the Pakistani rock band, very nearly did not make it after ending up stranded at a London airport instead of in Manchester.

Neil Butler, director of Bradford Festival, of which the Mela is the finale, said: "The police are happy with how things have gone and we have had a fantastic audience response.

"We have distributed questionnaires and people have given positive responses, saying how much they enjoyed the programme, the children's play area and all the rest of it. People have said it's the best Mela there's ever been in Bradford."

With the clean-up of Peel Park due to start today, contractors will have their work cut out as a shortage of rubbish bins on the site led to large amounts of litter building up.

This and a lack of information about performers and timings were the main criticisms from veteran festival-goers.

Mr Butler said: "Litter is an issue we are looking at. We had notice boards at each entrance with information and a lot of announcements."

Overall, he said, the weekend had been a great success - and a fantastic advert for Bradford.

"I am proud of all the people who have worked on it, it brings such a benefit to the city," he said. "The vast majority of people in Bradford see it as a great thing."