The Bard of Barking', Billy Bragg is to return to the classroom to star in a pioneering film commissioned by Barking and Dagenham Council to promote equal opportunities and to celebrate diversity.

Billy Bragg, who grew up and attended school in the Borough, has agreed to appear in 'The Big Band' short piece, to be filmed at Robert Clack School, Gosfield Road, Dagenham on Friday August 16.

The film centres on a group of musicians, including Bragg, from various cultures creating a world of vibrant sounds in a deserted hall.

Kids outside gather to watch the scene and gradually join in as the dancers and players from all over the world are seen to be now all living together in London. It ends with the strap line 'Barking & Dagenham Council, Let's Celebrate Diversity.'

The production was commissioned by Bill Coomber, Corporate Equalities and Diversity Adviser for Barking and Dagenham, as one of a series of three short films which aim to raise local awareness and understanding of cultural diversity.

Bill said: "Through these films, the Council aims to communicate the important messages of racial equality and the positive benefits of cultural diversity to everyone living and working in the Borough."

"It underlines the Council's determination to give leadership on these issues and meet its new duty to promote racial equality, fight discrimination and build good community relations."

He adds: "Equalities and diversity is central to the process of modernising of the Council and improving our reputation. This multi-media project should be seen as a new, exciting and innovative solution to an old problem."

"We are delighted that Billy Bragg has kindly given up his time to come along and make an appearance in this film, to support what he obviously feels is a very important cause."

The films are in response to the amendment of the Race Relations Act of 2000, following the murder investigation surrounding the death of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

The subsequent enquiry led to an active change in the way that racial issues are dealt with by public authorities and highlighted the need to tackle issues around institutional racism.

This film, 'The Big Band', directed by Steve Nesbit and produced by Eve Hawking of Talent Lab - part of the University of East London - is the latest and most high profile of a series of multi-media projects commissioned by the Council from Talent Lab.

Bill Coomber said: "We value the creativity and expertise of Steve, Eve and their team and the excellent working relationship that we have developed with them. It is a pleasure to work with people who share our commitment to equalities and diversity and who bring their artistic creativity to the challenge of taking the agenda forward in Barking and Dagenham."

All three films will be shown at Upton Park football ground, Vicarage Fields Shopping Centre, Barking and in various schools around the Borough and as stills on various poster sites, as a springboard for discussion about promoting race equality, combating discrimination and creating a cohesive community.