At least 200 events involving more than 350 professional artistes, 130 performing companies, 80 community groups, 40 schools and hundreds of children....

This year's Bradford International Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with more than 300,000 people expected to be involved, either as participants or visitors.

Festival organisers today unveiled some of the acts who will bring the city's streets to life between June 12 and 22.

They hope the packed programme, involving artists from across the world, will provide a dazzling backdrop to showcase how a multi-cultural city like Bradford can unite to celebrate diversity and enjoy first class art and entertainment.

This year, the Festival will play host to the world's biggest selling Bhangra artist, at least two world premieres and stage the national DJ awards.

Neil Butler, Director of Bradford International Festival, said: "This year's festival is a fantastic mix of home-grown talent and energy with artists of national and international standing.

"There has been a fantastic response to our call for participation with many hundreds of schoolchildren and members of the community participating in the district-wide programme, which in 2003 is a real creative fusion of cultures under the universal theme of Love.

"I am thrilled that we have attracted such artists as Graeme Gilmour and Malkit Singh, which I'm sure, will bring the crowds flooding back again this year."

Baroness Lockwood, Chairman of the Festival Advisory Board, said: "The programme for Bradford International Festival is very strong and reaches deep into the heart of the district.

"The Festival was highly praised by the police and health and safety officials last year for its commitment to creating a safe and pleasant environment.

"This year it will build on its reputation for excellent standards, right across the Festival, to create what I'm sure will be the best family fun and entertainment, over a cracking eleven days."