THE KiDs campaign celebrates the achievements of young people, and kicked off this weekend in spectacular style.

Seven teenagers from 16 to 18 organised a Mela, a festival celebrating Asian culture, in Clarence Park today.

Henna Zia, 17, said: “Our aim for the Mela was to educate the district about Asian culture. We wanted to remove the stereotypes of young people and of Asian people at the same time.”

Their project leader, Sadaka Ali, 19, came up with the idea last year. The St Albans Mela is the first in Britain to have been organised entirely by young people.

Hamza Choudbury, 18, said: “There's a lot of stereotyping that goes on, this is an Asian themed event but it's for everyone. We wanted to bring everyone together.”

Acts such as Asian superstar Mumzi and Ronak Mela Baja, the only Bollywood brass band, appeared on the main stage.

Hamza added: “We went to other Melas to get ideas and to make contacts. We organised all the musicians by just ringing up and asking.”

To help the KiDs campaign, send suggestions via email catchlined kids to kids@london.newsquest.co.uk or send your text to 80360 starting with KIDS leave a space and then your answer, name and contact details.