Bradford is set to be awash with colourful entertainers from around the world when its first international festival opens in June.

At the launch event for the revamped festival, at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television yesterday, the event's new organisers revealed that nearly 300 acts have already been lined up for the 10-day celebration which aims to put Bradford in the world spotlight for the right reasons.

Acts from as far a field as America, Australia, the Asian subcontinent and Europe have been booked to give Bradford a global village feel during June.

Festival Director Neil Butler said this was Bradford's chance to establish itself not only on the national map, but on the European and International scene.

He said: "It's an extraordinary privilege to be working here and it is our mission that the international view of Bradford is shared across Europe and most importantly across the UK."

He said one of his ambitions was to involve as many people as possible in the festival's many free events and hoped that everyone in education in Bradford would participate at some point.

"It's a wonderful platform to involve schools and the many community groups who make up the city," he said.

Although festival organisers are keeping some of the event's highlights under wraps until nearer the time Mr Butler has announced some of the acts who will be entertaining the crowds in June.

Bradford's Skinning the Cat, who helped unfurl the festival banner outside the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television yesterday, will be premiering their new work called Rubicon at the Festival.

Also lined up to perform are Bradford's Kala Sangam, pictured, Oriental Arts, Mind The Gap, IOU theatre, and the Olivier award-winning Improbable Theatre who will launch the festival in Centenary Square on June 7 with their gigantic Sticky show.

This year Lister Park is to feature more prominently than it has in recent years and will be one of the major venues for a week of street performances at the start of the festival.

Movie fans are also in for a treat as a second Bradford Film Festival will be held during June - showcasing the best in European cinema of the last year.

The Best of the Best film event will then be followed by the annual Bite The Mango festival which presents the best in black and Asian film.

Mr Butler also revealed that the Mela will once again be held in Peel Park - although this time it will be widened out to represent all aspects of Bradford culture. As well as groups such as Asian Dub Foundation the Mela will also feature Jazz bands and groups fusing musical styles from around the world.