Radio 1's Big Weekend volunteers inspired by 2012 Olympics

James Taylor said the Festival Makers were inspired by the 2012 Games Makers programme

A council has said its new volunteering programme for a festival held in its town was inspired by the 2012 London Olympics.

Luton Borough Council has announced that Radio 1's Big Weekend, which is being hosted in Stockwood Park, Luton, will be supported by about 160 volunteers known as Festival Makers.

The participants will be scattered between Luton Railway Station and the festival's entrance to guide people through the town and answer questions.

James Taylor, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration and inclusive growth, explained: "The idea came from the 2012 Olympics where they had the Games Makers. We put the call out, asked for volunteers... hundreds of people stepped forward, which I think we should be proud of.

"I think it gives us a chance to show off Luton's citizens. Warm, friendly people who are happy to help."

Chelsea Vincent, who was born in the US, said she is proud to call Luton her second home

Chelsea Vincent moved to Luton in 2007 from New Hampshire in the United States.

She wanted to volunteer at the festival because she was "excited for Luton".

Ms Vincent explained: "I've started to see the town get more investment and it's just nice to be part of that change and that cool vibe that's going to be here for the festival.

"I'm really excited to be part of that and pump people up walking to the festival."

The US citizen said she is proud to call Luton her second home.

She added: "It's a welcoming city, people think that it has a bad rep but I've been more than welcomed here."

College student Mansi said she wanted to do something positive for the town

College student Mansi is volunteering for all three days with a friend.

The 17-year-old explained: "We wanted to do something for Luton... because we live in Luton and we wanted to do something positive.

"This volunteering shines a positive light on Luton and we wanted to be part of that."

She expressed concern that people may have got a misleading impression of Luton.

"I am hoping the image and portrayal of Luton changes when they come and see what we're about, what the people are about, what sort of things go on, that it's not just bad," Mansi said.

Jay Joseph plans to sing to the crowds if spirits need lifting

Jay Joseph started her career as a dermatology nurse in Luton in 1988.

When she is volunteering she plans to sing to the crowds "to keep the spirits up".

She told the BBC she wanted to "give something back" to her hometown.

"We've got the football team, we're multicultural, we all look out for one another, there's a real camaraderie in Luton still.

"People don't see that, they always want to pick out the worst of it.

"This only happens once in a lifetime, we've got Big Weekend coming, let's cheer Luton on."

Councillor Fatima Begum is among the volunteers working at the weekend

Fatima Begum, a Labour councillor at the local authority, said she wanted to volunteer so she can greet people with a smile and "change the perception they have about Luton".

"People have a perception of Luton that it's all bad and as soon as you walk in you're going to be welcomed with a lot of bad energy.

"I want to be one of the people that actually shows them 'no, we have good energy in Luton'."

She explained she is among about 160 volunteers who want to show a different side to the town.

"All we want is for Luton to have a good perception because we all live here and we love the town, we want other people who are coming in to see that side of us.

"They are our guests so we are welcoming our guests to our home."