Lewisham Council announced a full calender of cultural events as Black History Month launched today (October 1).

A raft of free events, including discussions with leading authors, dance classes and film screenings, were among those listed on the Lewisham Council website.

The month-long celebration looks at the frequently overlooked, rich history of black communities in the UK.

It has been celebrated in London during the month of October since 1987, under the advocacy of Ghanaian academic Akyaaba Addai-Sebo.

Chiefly aimed at giving underrepresented history more attention, this year's Black History Month in Lewisham will feature a host of talks from leading authors on the subject.

Among them are a free lecture by African Caribbean genealogy expert Paul Crooks on the ending of slavery in the British Empire (October 12), who is also hosting a free event about how residents of the borough can trace their black and British heritage (October 19).

Other talks include a reading with Barbadian author Gillian Rowe, featuring her silver award-winning book But Johnny Didn't Hear Me on October 5, and a book singing with "How To Unlock Your Genius Using Black History' Author David Simon.

Meanwhile, a raft of active and interactive events are taking place across the borough during October.

Downham Library is hosting a notable figures treasure hunt for all ages to discover some of the key figures in Britain's black history, plus screenings of thematic films throughout the month and a clay mask making session by Danhomeyvi Art on October 12.

In the wake of the Windrush scandal, musician and storyteller Winston Nzinga, children aged five and up can join the artist on October 21 for "interactive music and stories from the Caribbean Windrush generation", while Children aged eight and over can head to Downham Library and build a suitcase "while sharing what it would be like to start a new life abroad" on October 22.

Star academic and co-host of the BBC's seminal art history show Civilizations David Olusoga OBE heads to the borough later in the month with the wide-ranging talk on black history and book signing at Lewisham Library on October 26.

A full list of all the events taking place in the borough for Black History Month is available on the Lewisham Council website.