FOLLOWERS of the Rastafarian messiah Emperor Haile Selassie will celebrate his 125th birthday at a community concert.

The gig will take place at Malvern Cube, in Albert Road North, Malvern, at 6pm tomorrow (July 22).

A tour has also been organised to inform people about the Ethiopian emperor's visits to Malvern.

Iman Issachar, aged 41, the organiser of the event, said: "It is going to be a huge mixture of music and all sorts of education.

"People are coming from all over the country.

"We are trying to show people where Haile Selassie stayed. We will meet at The Abbey Hotel at 4pm to show people the plaque.

"Around the Second World War Ethiopia was invaded by Mussolini. Haile went to the League of Nations to speak about the invasion of his country.

"He had to leave and came to Britain. He lived in Bath between 1936 and 1941 and during that period his granddaughters were in school in Malvern.

"When he was travelling up and down the country rallying support he often came to Malvern, stayed in The Abbey Hotel and met his granddaughters."

Mr Issachar said the emperor enjoyed Malvern because the hills reminded him of his mountainous homeland, called Harar.

He added that Haile Selassie often prayed at Holy Trinity Church, which the group will visit at 5pm.

There will also be arts and crafts, authentic reggae sound systems, live drumming, vegan natural food and films on Haile Selassie's life, at the concert.

Joseph Lalibela, Dubtronics, Iman Issachar and Drumlove are set to perform at the gig.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and are free for children under the age of 16.