First gurdwara in Surrey 'means everything'

The Diwan Hall at the first gurdwara in Surrey

Surrey's first gurdwara has been officially opened in Camberley.

About 1,000 people enjoyed a festival of prayers, music, Punjabi writing classes, food, martial arts displays, talks and the unveiling of a new work of art from Amandeep Singh, the artist known as Inkquisitive, on Saturday.

For two decades, Surrey's Sikhs had taken trains to Southampton or driven an hour into London to mark important events like weddings and funerals.

Fundraiser Deepak Singh Udassi told BBC's Rena Annobil that getting a local place to worship meant "everything".

Fundraiser and organiser Deepak Singh Udassi with BBC South and South East presenter Rena Annobil

The Gura Nanak Gurdwara Camberley charity raised £1.5m to transform an ex-military base in London Road into a place of worship.

Trustee Dr Narinder Kaur Gill said that "an outpouring of love renovated the building" because people gave up their time to work on transforming it.

After the group moved in five months ago, Dr Kaur Gill said everything was done by the community, including designing and making the goldwork and images.

The community kitchen provided lunch to all attendees at the official opening

As well as a place for worship, the team said they were providing a place for the wider community too.

They will offer food to anyone in need, as well as yoga, sports, martial arts and fitness classes and opportunities to learn Gurmukhi and Punjabi.