HUNDREDS of families are expected to head for the city centre this weekend to enjoy the Born in Bradford Family Festival.

A flashmob spectacular with 75 Dorothys in a Wizard of Oz spectacular, a giant digger, a real tooth fairy, magical monsters, teddy bear trails and explorer packs are among the free attractions which will form part of the two-day event starting tomorrow in City Park and at the the National Media Museum.

Ann Barratt, family liaison officer at Born in Bradford said: “The festival is a new venture for us, following on from the success of the Teddy Bear Picnics that was held in previous years and we’ve an action-packed programme planned to keep little hands busy!”

The first 1,000 families to arrive at the media museum will receive an explorer pack, complete with explorer trail and a free gift courtesy of Orchard Toys. They will also receive a special Hallmark photo frame to house the free photo which they can have taken in City Park, as a lasting reminder of the weekend.

The first 500 explorers to complete their explorer trails and hand them in will also receive free miniature fruit.

The Born in Bradford project which started in 2007 is tracking the lives of 13,500 babies and their families from different cultures and backgrounds - information gathered from those families helps national and worldwide studies looking at what causes childhood illnesses.

Now those youngsters are getting older, the BiB Project came up with the idea of putting on a festival instead that will bring science, technology, stories, all sorts of characters and of course teddy bears to the city centre.

Mrs Barratt added: “Whether you are part of the research project or interested in finding out more, the festival celebrates being Born in Bradford and is open to all families. With 75 Dorothys also making a guest appearance fresh from Oz, we promise that this weekend, there really will be no place like Bradford.”