The Heart of Wembley Festival – now in its third year – returned on Saturday to celebrate the area’s diversity on a blisteringly hot afternoon.

Brent & Kilburn Times: The London Belles at the Heart of Wembley festival. Picture: Colin PattersonThe London Belles at the Heart of Wembley festival. Picture: Colin Patterson (Image: No use of image without permission from copyright holder Colin Patterson or licensed user from Udenson Caldbeck Associates.)

With street stalls selling authentic Nigerian and Hungarian food, music ranging from 1940s-inspired vintage trio The London Belles to Somali group the Ice Breakers, and dance from as far afield as Nepal and Cuba, the festival emphasised Wembley’s place at the heart of London’s multicultural arts scene.

Children were captivated, too.

Lots loved the chance to try their hands at drumming workshops and craft activities, but it was a troupe of circus performers that stole the show for them.

The festival is organised by Wembley Futures, one of 150 groups across the UK to be awarded funding by The Big Local, which says it aims to help make lasting change in communities.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Dancing captivates crowds at the Heart of Wembley festival. Picture: Colin PattersonDancing captivates crowds at the Heart of Wembley festival. Picture: Colin Patterson (Image: No use of image without permission from copyright holder Colin Patterson or licensed user from Udenson Caldbeck Associates.)

Francis Henry, chair of Wembley Futures, said: “The festival is now tried and tested. We know the local community want it, and we simply provide.”