Vaisakhi: Thousands set to gather in Leicester for Sikh procession

The parade will take about three and half hours

Thousands of Sikhs are to mark Vaisakhi by parading through the centre of Leicester on Sunday.

The procession, known as Nagar Kirtan, will see worshipers walking between two of the city's prominent gurdwaras.

It follows the festival of Vaisakhi earlier this month which celebrated founding of the Sikh community, known as Khalsa, in 1699.

Leicester City Council said there would be road closures in place during the event.

The procession will begin at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, on Holy Bones, at 11:30 BST and will make its way across the city to arrive at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, East Park Road, at about 15:00.

The procession will pass down Great Central Street, Vaughan Way, St Nicholas Circle, St Nicholas Place, High Street, Clock Tower, Gallowtree Gate, Granby Street, Northampton Street, Charles Street, St Georges Way, Swain Street, Sparkenhoe Street, St Peters Road, East Park Road, Leicester Street and Roseberry Street.

Some bus services will also need to follow alternative routes, the council said.