Thousands attend Diwali switch-on

About 60,000 people have visited Leicester for the switch-on of the Belgrave Road Diwali lights, one of the biggest celebrations outside India.

The lights were turned on by the Lord Mayor, Manjula Sood, who is also the councillor for the area.

The road was closed from 1730 BST until 2130 BST and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

At the event, the crowds were entertained by Indian dance, followed by a fireworks and laser display.

The chair of the Diwali working party, Councillor Vijay Patel, said: "Every year, we seem to be getting more and more people coming to the Diwali festival of light celebration in Leicester.

"It is the largest celebration of its kind in Europe.

"We have similar celebrations in Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore, but the one in this country, the one in Leicester, is the biggest by all means."

More than 6,500 lamps are being used and more than 3,000ft of lights will adorn Belgrave Road, from the Belgrave flyover to Checketts Road.

The word Diwali is an abbreviation of Deepavali, which means cluster of lamps.

The Hindu festival of light is a celebration of good over evil.