Five teenagers are setting a fine example in their community by focusing on music as a way of combatting violence and crime. IAN PROCTOR looks at the inspiration behind this year's Gig in the Park

A HOTLY anticipated music festival is being held this weekend to encourage people to take a stand against youth crime. Gig In The Park is being promoted under the slogan, 'Love Music, Hate Violence' as part of Sunday's wider community Under One Sky fair at the Kodak Sports Ground, Harrow View, Harrow.

The five-strong team behind the event are, like last year, all pupils at Nower Hill High School in Pinner and were in fact appointed by the 2007 organising committee.

Months of preparation have led to what will surely to be a cracking day of summer entertainment and, hopefully, a crowd that tops the 10,000 music lovers who amassed for the inaugural gig 12 months ago.

The teenage planners have pulled out all the stops to draft in several bands and solo artists for whom Gig In The Park will be a backyard or even homecoming concert, since they come from the borough of Harrow.

Other artists will be travelling from the farthest reaches of our city to help fill four hours of live music.

One of the organisers, Dirujan Sabesan, said: "Gig In The Park is a youth-led project which has become very popular with teenagers in Harrow, because we young people are allowed to create such a large scale event that is now receiving a lot of support from different organisations.

"The 'Love Music, Hate Violence' campaign has now taken a much bigger position, with support from the Metropolitan Police. I really think we're going to make this such a big success this year."

Art director Jemie Mistry added: "This gig is largely created by young people who want to lead a better and safer generation. Violence is not the answer."