The director of one of the largest and most diverse youth events in the world, that kicks off in Kingston next week, has said international visitors and performers will be “more welcome” than ever this year.

In the wake of the Brexit vote, International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) director Andy Currums said he wanted to “reassure” the festival’s young international performers and visitors.

The festival, which starts on Friday, July 8, offers comedy, theatre, music, art and dance performances in venues across the borough until July 17.

Mr Currums said: “The vote has changed the tone a bit. The challenges we face have changed a little since the referendum.

“The carnival on July 10 is called Kingston Welcomes the World.

“It has been called this every year but it has taken on new meaning this time I think.”

Now in its eighth year IYAF will see another extravaganza of talent by its young performers, all under the age of 26 and from almost every continent.

Mr Currums added: “At a time when many questions are being asked both in the UK and overseas about identity and belonging we wish to celebrate the role the arts and young people play in making a more rich, varied and cohesive world.”

Playwright Mr Currums, who wrote and starred in Alex ‘The Hurricane’ Higgins biopic The People’s Champion at the festival in 2013, has been part of IYAF since 2009 when he played a tree in a Rose Theatre production.

He said he was “nervous but excited” about his first year as director.

He said: “We have a lot of great performers coming and it is so hard to pick out just one.

“I am really looking forward to Wonder. Thirty-two German performers are involved and it explores what it is to be normal. But we have some absolutely amazing acts over the festival in all areas.”

Mr Currums is also keen that festival-goers experience a taste of the many different cultures that will be on offer.

He points to the Museum of Futures in Surbiton, where the community kitchen is giving performers and visitors the chance to cook and taste food from their own and other countries.

The festival program and ticket information can be found at iyafestival.org.uk