EASTLEIGH mayor Gillian Connell put her best foot forward to welcome in the Sikh new year at a party in the town yesterday.

Music, traditional food and dancing are all essential ingredients of the Vaisakhi New Year's Day celebration that was organised by the Asian Elders Group based in the borough.

Representatives from the police, borough and county council, social services and the Asian community congregated at Holy Cross Church in Leigh Road.

"It was a great event and everyone had a lot of fun," said Helen Coleman, community development manager.

"The Asian Elders are very keen when they have their festivals to invite other people so they can see what it's like. Next week they are having a talk on Easter, which is the other way around."