A great festival in the Sikh calendar was honoured in traditional style in Slough on Sunday - as the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan procession made its annual progress through the town.

The procession set off from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple in Sheehy Way at 11am to the sound of beating drums.

It passed down Wexham Road, Shaggy Calf Lane and Stoke Poges Lane before arriving at the Ramgharia Gurdwara in Woodland Avenue.

Thousands of dedicated Sikhs took part in the parade which celebrated Vaisakhi – the initiation of the first five members of the Khalsa – the body that every initiated Sikh belongs to.

The ornate carriage bearing the scripture was at the colourful heart of the procession, as barefoot Sikhs swept the road in front to symbolise purity.

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 including samosas, masala breads, naan and sweets with Indian tea and soft drinks to wash it all down.

Jagmeet Singh is a worshipper at the Sheehy Way Gurdwara.

He explained the significance of the food offered during the procession.

He said: "It is called 'langar' and it is integral part of our religion. Giving it out to everybody is a way of bringing together people of different castes and different religions, breaking down social and illusional boundaries to the oneness of mankind."

Slough MP Fiona Mactaggart was among the well wishers who came to watch the parade start, days after announcing she would not stand again at the forthcoming election.