We'd almost forgotten what rain felt like, but heavy showers today didn't put off hundreds of children who processed through Maidstone town centre ahead of this weekend's Mela.

The free multicultural celebration, which is in its 11th year and has become firmly established in the town’s calendar, will be held in Mote Park on Sunday.
But festivities were kicked off with hundreds of schoolchildren as they marched from County Hall to Jubilee Square, where live music was staged, with the rain drying up for the afternoon.

Mela Sunday in Mote Park will run from 12.30pm to 6pm, with acts including Bollywood dancers and Nepalese folk groups, plus the UK’s top Madness tribute act, Badness.

There will also be pictures and coverage of both today's event and Sunday's celebrations in next week's KM, out on Friday.