A school took the lead in promoting social harmony to the next generation by demonstrating the benefits cultural diversity has brought to south Essex.

St Clere's School, in Stanford-le-Hope, held a cultural diversity evening where students and their parents were encouraged to sample food, try on clothing, join in traditional dance and drumming, and learn about the history and culture of people from all over the world who have settled here.

Philomena Cozens, deputy head, explained the aim was to demonstrate different ways of life are nothing to be scared of.

She said: "I think people from different backgrounds are always going to mix better in a social setting. It is easier to appreciate other cultures if everyone is enjoying themselves together.

"We wanted to show our children that all the different food, dress, music and stories people have brought with them from other countries can make life more fun for everyone."

There were stalls displaying traditional dishes, dress and other cultural symbols from India, China, South America, Nigeria, South Africa, France, Wales and Germany.

More than 200 pupils and parents were also entertained by African dance, drama and drumming demonstrations.

Mrs Cozens said: "We had a lot of local Thurrock kids playing the African drums in the end, which was really nice to see. Every culture enjoys dance and drums - it seems to be something that transcends it all.

"At one point, an African man was juggling bottles, then he was spinning bowls on sticks from his mouth. You couldn't help but be impressed."

The deputy head added St Clere's was a specialist languages school, so encouraging cultural understanding comes naturally.

She said: "We teach French, German, Spanish and Mandarin, and have links with China, Africa and South America. Encouraging students to take an interest in these countries is something we take special pride in."

Ayodele Oshunremi, who runs Inspiration Youth Call - an organisation which mentors schoolchildren and runs a youth club within the grounds of St Clere's - conceded social integration was a highly sensitive issue at the moment.

He has extensive experience of two cultures, as he was born in London, but moved to Nigeria when he was five, before returning to Britain for good in 1988. He is determined to do everything in his power to promote the benefits a multicultural society can bring.

He helped organise the multicultural evening on Wednesday and said: "We wanted to show our young people that by coming together - and sharing the best of our cultures and appreciating our differences too - we can all live in harmony.

"Hopefully the children will take these experiences with them in future life. Many of the parents said it was an eye-opener too.

"This country turned my life around because there was a time when I was drinking too much and got into a bit of trouble. I was drifting for a while, but was able to go to university here and turn my life around.

"Now I want to do get the message across to as many young people as I can that we can all live happily side by side."