HUNDREDS of people enjoyed a taste of Indian food, dance and culture in Poole on Saturday.

The first ever Dorset Indian Mela, which was held all day in Poole Park, featured a host of stalls, a bouncy castle, live entertainment and music.

Money raised from the event will go to Forest Holme Hospice, based in Seldown Road, which offers specialist care to people diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Bibin Venunath, organiser of the event, said: "We were trying to raise funds for Forest Holme Hospice because I work for Poole Hospital.

"I have seen the work of the cancer charity and they give such good support to people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

"We were trying to offer really homely food because the food you can buy in restaurants, it's all very commercial."

People could take part in a raffle, have their hands and arms decorated with henna and watch brightly-dressed dancers on the stage.

Manoj Pillai, who was also helping at the event, said: "We were trying to give people more of an experience of the Indian culture, food and traditions.

"We have all lived in Dorset for more than 15 years and our kids have grown up here.

"This event was about integrating and giving back to the community, as well as to charity.

"We had really good support from Borough of Poole for this."

Hannah Parsons, fundraising and communications manager for Forest Holme Hospice, said that the charity really appreciate's the support of the mela.

She added: "It was a really unique event. There is nothing like this in this area with so many different things going on. They had organised all of it in less than a month."