YOUTHS are holding their own Oval’ festival in the East End as an alternative to Monday’s Notting Hill Carnival. They want to raise cash on the Bank Holiday for their church and an orphanage in Africa with a five-hour festival including a concert at the Place of Victory Church and an outdoor barbecue in the street at The Oval, off Hackney-road, Bethnal Green, from 1pm

YOUTHS are holding their own 'Oval' festival in the East End as an alternative to Monday's Notting Hill Carnival.

They want to raise cash on the Bank Holiday for their church and an orphanage in Africa.

The five-hour festival includes a concert at the Place of Victory Church and an outdoor barbecue in the street at The Oval, off Hackney Road, Bethnal Green, from 1pm.

The church runs a project which it says "transforms the lives of many teenagers who would otherwise get involved in a life of drugs, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour."

One of its youth co-ordinators, Dami Sahed, said: "Monday's festival is aimed at those who may be at risk of peer pressure and are at crossroads in their lives.

"We are addressing social ills and the growing gun and knife culture today."

The event is being used to raise funds for the project and for the Nakonde orphanage in Malawi, is letting youngsters 'showcase' their talents through drama, music, and other forms of arts and crafts "in a non-threatening atmosphere.