WORCESTER families are being invited to play a part in a massive multi-cultural festival which kicked off in the city today.

Funpac 2001 is billed as an event where "the world comes to Worcester" and features a host of arts, crafts and cultural events.

The celebrations started today with a reception at Stanley Road Primary School where a party of visitors from Alkmaar in Holland were given a warm Worcester welcome.

Among those attending were the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor David Clark.

Highlights during Funpac 2001, which runs until Friday, June 29, include Bhangra sessions, African-Caribbean dancing, traditional Indian music with Candida Connolly, an opportunity to work on a series of decorated tiles (inspired by Delft pottery in honour of the city's Dutch visitors), a Japanese Roadshow and Worcester's Faithful City Morris Dancers.

Jean Kennedy, one of the event's organisers, said the "phenomenal" success of last year's event had inspired the 2001 Funpac.

"The response we had was amazing and very encouraging," she said.

"There was a belief that a similar thing should become an annual event. It's a way of getting the community together and celebrating the cultural diversity in Worcester as well as on a larger scale."

A family barn dance is due to be held tonight at Stanley Road Primary at 7pm in the main hall and tickets costing 50 pence are available on the door. Headteacher Barbara Dunn is caller for the evening.

The festival ends at 6pm on Friday with an Into The Ark procession which will go around Stanley Road, Cecil Road, Vincent Road and Wyld's Lane.

"There really is something for everyone and we say the more the merrier," added Mrs Kennedy.

Other features include ceramic pottery, local history sessions, storytelling and street dance.