RAIN showers failed to dampen the spirit of Hindu worshippers celebrating their temple's golden anniversary.

More than 250 people flocked to the Krishna Temple in Beverley Road, Heaton, yesterday and marked the 50th anniversary of community facility opening with a fun-filled procession.

There was music and dancing as people took to the street for a parade around the perimeter of the temple, which has been operating since 1966.

During the week, it serves as a social centre, with children learning how to play chess and musical instruments, while at weekends, it is used as a place of worship and for religious ceremonies.

It is also used as a polling station and for other community events.

The procession was one of a series of events to make the anniversary. There was also a special lunch, a talk about the temple's history and a recognition ceremony paying tribute to past volunteers.

The temple's auditor Ben Patel spent a year organising the festivities with the help of an executive committee.

"The parade was very special. We had a bit of a downpour in the morning, but just carried on and had fun and everyone enjoyed it. It has been a good team effort making the day a success," said Mr Patel.

He added: "It is a very welcoming place to come. We get on well with all our neighbours and have never had a complaint for them.

"We try to have a three-year plan of how we are going to manage the temple and we would like to one day move somewhere bigger — but how possible that will be, I don't know."