Leicester Diwali Day celebrations draw large crowds

Tens of thousands of people have celebrated Diwali Day in the centre of Leicester.

A large crowd of revellers attended the event in the streets around the city's Golden Mile area.

Leicester City Council said the two-and-a-half hour party was one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside India.

Highlights included food stalls and entertainment at the Cossington Street Recreation Ground, and fireworks.

Sweets and gifts are traditionally distributed to friends and family during the festival.

Extra buses ran to and from Birstall's park-and-ride site for the event, which was organised by Leicester City Council and the Leicester Hindu Festival Council.

Belgrave Road and Belgrave Flyover were closed to traffic from 18:00 to 21:30 GMT.