Music producer Naughty Boy will join hundreds of Muslims today for a festival on how to divert young Britons away from extremism.

The event comes as growing numbers of Britons are travelling to Syria to fight with the terror group Islamic State (IS).

Among them are four schoolgirls from Bethnal Green in east London who are believed to have secretly travelled to the war-ravaged country after being groomed online to become jihadi brides.

Sharmeena Begum, Shamima Begum, and Amira Abase, all 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, are understood to be in the IS stronghold of Raqqa.

Young people, police, teachers, faith leaders and Muslims from the world of entertainment are gathering at the Muslim Youth Festival to gather views on what it means to be a Muslim today.

The event, the first of its kind in London, is the brainchild of the Muslim Youth Focus Group which wanted to create a platform for young Muslims to voice their concerns on issues such as radicalisation, Islamophobia, IS and Syria.

Muslim role models will speak at the event, including music star Naughty Boy, whose real name is Shahid Khan and has been working with Zayn Malik who recently announced he was leaving One Direction.

YouTube star Humza Arshad - creator of the series 'Diary of Badman' - will also appear.

Sergeant Javaria Saeed of the Met's Community Engagement Team, said: "In a world dominated by news and events of extremism often the feelings of young people, who are perhaps most affected, become overlooked.

"This festival aims to change this by giving young people a voice to express themselves and propose ideas and solutions that will make a difference for all communities."

Youth leader Surfaraz Mustafa, 18, a member of the Muslim Youth Focus Group and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said: "We believe it is important for young people to come together and work for the better of society. Loyalty to one's country is part of one's faith. The Muslim Youth Festival is an excellent example of this."

Imam, Dr Mohammed Fahim of South Woodford Mosque said: "Young British Muslims, irrespective of their ethnicities or gender, should feel proud to live in a country like Britain which respects human rights and gives them equal opportunities and permits them to practice their religion without any fear or oppression.

"They should be empowered to play a major role in the decision-making process in this country and should make an effort to take part in politics, or to join the army, the police force or the judicial system."

Commander Mak Chishty, Met lead for Engagement, said: "This event makes a clear statement that we all stand together as one community against all forms of hatred and extremism."