Blondes to battle Latvia's blues

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An association of blonde women in Latvia says it hopes to dispel some of the Baltic state's economic gloom with a parade and ball in the capital, Riga.

It hopes to field 500 fair-haired women for a weekend of events, including a concert, a fashion show and "blonde golf", said organiser Marika Gidere.

"People are depressed, they don't have enough positive emotions," she added.

Latvia, home to 2.3 million people, is going through one of the most severe recessions in the European Union.

Unemployment is rising and public sector salaries are being cut.

"The economic situation is such that society needs these types of events," Ms Gidere, head of Latvia's Blondes' Association, told the French news agency AFP.

"And this is something very positive and fun. And we know that blondes have more fun."

Sunday's blonde parade, to be held under the motto "Make the world a brighter place," will involve an orchestra composed of fair-haired women, she told the Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

The parade will be followed by a ball and contests to find the best "blonde lawyer", "blonde journalist" and others.