ENTERTAINMENT with a social message is promised at a carnival celebrating diversity and difference. Carnival 365, which takes place in Eltham next month, kicks off Anti Racism Week across Greenwich borough.

The free event promises a colourful and eclectic mix of music, dance and dazzling performance art.

It will feature hundreds of artists from a diverse range of backgrounds and organiser Dorothy Chan hopes it will "break down barriers".

She said: "We want to enlighten the whole borough and put across a strong message about the importance of diversity.

"It is important to showcase the way groups are using arts and entertainment to deal with conflicts and problems of anti-social behaviour."

The annual carnival, which is in its sixth year, will feature four stages, a sports area, health zone, an arts cafe and children's area.

Here visitors can expect to see a bit of everything salsa dancing, an orchestra, MC-ing, hip hop and musical set-pieces.

One of the highlights will be the Carnival Idol stage, which will feature 10 finalists in a talent show.

The finalists have been whittled down from a selection of heats staged across the borough during the last two months.

Chan believes community involvement of this kind is central to the ethos of the event.

"It is important to support community groups and young people. A lot of those at the carnival will be fundraising to help them with future activities and they need all the support they can get.

"People should come along to show their support for young artists and local talent."

All sounds very worthy but will we be entertained?

Chan certainly thinks so. When asked to sum up the event in one sentence, she stresses the universal appeal of the day.

"It will be a diverse show, with a bit of everything and we hope to provide something for everyone," she says.

Carnival 365 is part of Fusion South East, a major arts and cultural entertainment initiative running until spring 2006 in south east London.

The scheme is funded by the Arts Council and the Millennium Commission.

-Carnival 365, Eltham Green Specialist Sports College, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, July 16, 1pm to 6pm, free, fusionlondon.co.uk.