Gravesend gears up for Vaisakhi celebrations

Hundreds of volunteers are preparing food for the celebrations

Hundreds of volunteers have been preparing for the weekend's Vaisakhi celebrations in a Kent town.

Gravesend has one of the biggest Sikh communities in south-east England, and one of the world's largest Gurdwara outside of India.

More than 10,000 people are expected to visit the town's festivities over the weekend.

Harinder Kaur, who is helping organise volunteers preparing meals, said: "You're part of something far bigger than you."

Prayers and song took place in the Gurdwara in Gravesend on Friday

The festival is the most important date in Sikhism, marking the birth of the faith in 1699.

The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara welcomed around 3,000 people for the first day of prayer and song on Friday.

The celebrations were followed by langar - a shared meal - which is one of the most important parts of the weekend.

Ms Kaur said: "It's completely free food offered to anybody, regardless of their background, gender, caste, ethnicity or age."

Around 10,000 people are expected over the weekend in Gravesend for Vaisakhi

Dozens of people volunteer to organise the decorations and entertainment.

Tajinder Kaur has created the Vasisakhi flower displays every year for the past 26 years.

She said: “When I was in a dark place, my Gurdwara was there for me.

“Volunteering is important to Sikhism and important to me.”

Her flower displays will be on one of eight floats parading through Gravesend on Saturday.