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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network today announces its biggest Summer of Melas programme, starting with the Preston Mela on the Sunday 6 June, fronted by Tommy Sandhu.

Descending on more Melas than ever before, the station visits 12 towns and cities aross the UK and finishes at the London Mela on the Sunday 8 August.

Asian Network presenters Tommy Sandhu, Sonia Deol, Noreen Khan and Murtz will front the station's activity and throughout the whole of the Summer of Melas programme, listeners can enjoy performances from the biggest names in Asian music, international artists and new British-Asian talent. In the week leading up to each event the station is also set to take some of its programmes to the location of the Mela, to broadcast from the heart of its community.

For the first time ever, at the Bradford (12/13 June), Leicester (18 July), Manchester (24/25 July) and London (8 August) Melas, the station is offering invaluable workshops for students and emerging DJs and journalists. DJ Kayper, PHS and Asian Network Reports journalists are all present at the Melas, offering advice and tips for Asians wanting to get into the industry.

Mark Strippel, Head of Music and Events, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network, says: "³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network places real importance in connecting with the roots of the British-Asian audience. I'm thrilled that this year we're able to announce a stronger and bigger Mela campaign than ever before, with 12 local partnerships and activity in 10 locations across the UK, including Manchester, Bradford, London, Leicester, Cardiff and Glasgow. We'll be bringing a multiplatform broadcast treatment to each of the events, including live broadcasts from the heart of each community."

The station's biggest activity comes at the end of the season at the London Mela, where its eight-hour live broadcast is complemented by a live web-stream. Hosting the main stage, the station also offers a multitude of other activities for visitors to enjoy.

Highlights and all the latest pictures and videos of your favourite artists and presenters will be available on the Asian Network website throughout the summer. Following the success of last year's Mela Music Red Button programmes, which attracted an audience of 810,000, viewers are able to watch performances from across this year's events on a special Red Button programme from Monday 16 August for 7 days.

From showcasing great acts, to broadcasting key highlights, to filming, photo galleries and much more, Asian Network brings its listeners the best coverage of all the Melas it visits this summer.

Full Mela details

6 June – Preston Mela
12/13 June – Bradford Mela
20 June – Glasgow Mela
27 June – Oldham Mela
3/4 July – Rochdale Mela
18 July – Leicester Belgrave Mela / Nottingham Mela
24/25 July – Manchester Mega Mela
1 August – East London Mela / Leeds Mela
8 August – London Mela / Cardiff Mela

For more information and on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network’s Summer of Melas, please visit bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork.

Notes to Editors

Full details for each of the Melas will be announced at later dates.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network is a national digital radio station that reaches out to 360,000 listeners each week.

The station sound has a distinctive mix of British Asian, Bollywood, Bhangra, news, debate, languages, entertainment and live events with a real focus on promoting and highlighting British-Asian talent. It plays host to the best in Asian talent including presenters Tommy Sandhu, Sonia Deol, Nihal, Noreen Khan, Gagan Grewal, Bobby Friction, Raj & Pablo.

You can listen to Asian Network on bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork, DAB, Sky 0119, Freeview 709, Freesat 709 and Virgin 912.

SG