Chester will celebrate Diwali this month with a parade and traditional Indian dancing.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, will be marked in Chester on Saturday 11 October, organised by the Sanjhi Indian Association.

Once the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Sherin Akhtar, has formally opened the celebrations, the festival will begin at 12pm with a vibrant parade from Chester Town Hall Square to Eastgate Street.

A series of dances will then take place from 12.30pm.

Following the parade and celebrations, the festival will continue at the Chester Unity Centre, Cuppin street, where public workshops will be held between 2.30pm and 4pm.

This will include henna hand painting, face painting, Diya making, Diwali art, an Indian food stall and craft stalls.

"From colourful outfits, music, traditional Indian dance and with a touch of Bollywood music, I am delighted to welcome back the Diwali celebrations to Chester," said Cllr Sherin Akhtar.

Sarika Kaushik, chairperson of Sanjhi Indian Association, said: "Please join us to celebrate Diwali in Chester. Diwali is an international festival celebrated across the world.

"I'd like to thank our sponsors Cheshire West and Chester Council and Bank of America plus the additional support we have from the Sanjhi volunteers, Sai Mayur dance, Gejje Dance, Lalita's Namastey India dance, Art by Avanii, Saffron Spice Cheadle, CHAWREC, Origins Group Ltd and DJ Fusion."

The programme for the day will include:

• The Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Sherin Akhtar declares the Diwali celebrations open
• Dance - Children under 11 years by Suchitra Sharma and Group/Gejje dance
• Semi Classical dance - Sai Mayur dance school, Chester
• Bollywood dance medley- Sanjhi Ladies group
• Dance by Bank of America Group
• Bollywood dance medley- Lalita's Namastey India Dance school, Northwich
• Bollywood dance medley - Manasa's Gejje dance, Chester
• Workshops 2.30pm to 4pm, Unity Centre