A HUGE procession took to the streets of Southampton yesterday for the annual Vaisakhi celebrations.

More than 3,000 people enjoyed the Nagar Kirtan parade as it wound its way through the city.

Driving rain failed to dampen the festivities as a float led the crowds from the Gurdwara Tegh Bahadur Sahib in St Mark's Road for the four-hour event.

Traditional hymns were sung and petals filled the air to mark the anniversary of the birth of the Sikh nation.

During the morning, dozens of people, including city council and community leaders, gathered outside the Civic Centre for a special ceremony where the Nishan Sahib was raised above the building. Southampton MPs Alan Whitehead and John Denham, along with city mayor Councillor Parvin Damani, were among guests during the day.

Amrik Singh Gill, president of the UK's Sikh Federation, said: "This is a very significant day as it marks the moment the Sikh nation was created and the procession celebrates that."

The Rev Ian Johnson, secretary of the Southampton Council of Faiths, who took part in the procession, said: "It's very important that the whole faith community shares in celebrating Vaisakhi and it's been a delight to be here."

Cllr Damani said: "It has been really good to see that the Sikh community welcomes everyone from every community."