Worcestershire County Council will be giving advice on jobs and career opportunities in social care at the Asian Mela Festival, held in Birmingham this weekend.

Social services staff will join staff from education, environmental and cultural services to try and encourage people from all ethnic backgrounds to consider employment with the county council.

The council's black colleagues support group will also be available to talk about their experience of working for the council.

The festival, which is billed as the largest indoor experience of Asian culture and lifestyle, will include entertainment, fashion, food and careers.

It is being held at the NEC.

"This is one of several similar events being held across the country and the county council is keen to be part of such a celebration of culture and lifestyle," said Angela Dale, the council's social services human resources advisor.

"We hope to highlight the range of job and career opportunities, dispelling the idea that working in local Government is staid.

"We also want to encourage people from different ethnic backgrounds to join us and help us make a difference to people's lives," she said.

If you are interested in a career with Worcestershire County Council but cannot attend the festival, log on to the vacancy list at the council's web site at www.worcestershire.gov.uk or collect one from your local library or job centre.