Arts event hopes to bring community together

Kaleidoscope of Dreams will involve 22 local schools, culminating in an event at Tamworth Castle grounds in July

A new arts festival is being organised to bring residents together in a Staffordshire town where rioting broke out last summer.

The Kaleidoscope of Dreams will involve 22 schools in Tamworth borough, and culminate in an event at the Castle Grounds on 5 July.

The festival will include music and dance performances, as well as an art trail produced by local children.

The trail will lead participants to locations in the town centre, including the Assembly Rooms, library, St Editha's Church, and bandstand.

"We're very privileged in Tamworth to have a fantastic community and voluntary sector," said council chief executive Stephen Gabriel.

"Since the dreadful events last summer we've been overwhelmed by how people have come together to support Tamworth communities."

The festival aimed to encourage unity, equality and diversity, he added.

"We will continue to work collaboratively as we move forward, enhancing community cohesion for all."

The event is funded by part of a community recovery grant of £600,000, awarded to the town after the disorder on 4 August that followed the murder of three girls in Southport.

The money, from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has been provided to help the local authority improve community unity and social trust.