Thousands of Slough residents took part in a colourful procession to celebrate the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi at the weekend.

The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan procession made its annual parade through the town yesterday (Sunday) to celebrate the festival which marks the creation of the Khalsa – the formal armed order that every initiated Sikh belongs to.

The ornate carriage carrying the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, was at the heart of the colourful procession, as barefoot Sikhs swept the road in front to ensure it was clean for the Guru to pass through.

Volunteer Dawinderpal Singh said this year marks the 320th anniversary of the formation of the Khalsa.

Free food and drink was offered along the route by members of the Sikh community, offering passers-by and people of all faiths and nationalities who stopped to watch the chance to enjoy snacks, as well as learning more about Vaisakhi and what it symbolises.

The Guru Granth Sahib was taken from gurdwara to gurdwara as part of the procession to the sound of beating drums (dhol), and passers by were treated to a display of the Gatka – martial arts associated with Sikh people.

The parade set off from the Singh Sabha Gurdwara, in Sheehy Way, at around 10am, and concluded at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, in Woodland Avenue.