LEICESTER: Hundreds of fashion designers across Britain are gearing up for a national competition for the best bridal sari, reflecting the hopes, dreams and aspirations of a British-Asian bride.

The competition, British Sari Story 2008, is calling for people to create their own British embroidery, embellishment and beading with patterns that reflect present day British Asian life.

Leicester’s Indian-origin Lord mayor, Manjula Sood, who makes it a point to wear a sari at every public function, is one of the judges of the competition.

Besides Sood, other judges of the competition are Baroness Sheela Flather, the first British Asian woman in the House of Lords, and prominent couturier Roy Allen.

Sood said: "I’m delighted to be part of this project because I think it’s very important that Asian women should have a voice and be able to express just how they feel about life today in this country."

"How better to do that than through a wedding sari? We’ve all seen the beautiful embroidery from south Asia but let’s see what we can come up with the UK. We may see wedding saris with buttons instead of sequins or with a Union Jack border!"

Winners work will be showcased in the British Sari Story touring exhibition which showcases saris from around south Asia with information about their regional significance as well as new saris with 21st century British designs.