TAMESIDE’S Diwali celebrations are expected to be among the biggest and brightest in the north west.

The event, organised by Tameside Council’s Art and Events Team in partnership with the local Hindu Community, is to take place this Sunday (19 October) and will include a spectacular lantern parade and fireworks.

Festivities will start outside Ashton Town Hall at 6.15pm with the Diwali light switch-on led by the Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Jack Davis. Jasmine Patel and Partha Upadhyay will then be invited to speak on behalf of the Hindu community in Tameside.

The crowds will then embark upon a magical lantern parade, which will take them from Ashton Town Centre to the Indian Community Centre on Union Road.

The fun will continue at the Indian Community Centre with traditional Indian and South Asian Dancing, Dhol drumming, music, drama and much more. The event will come to a close at 8.30pm with a magnificent firework finale.

Adam Allen, head of Sport and Cultural Services said: "This is going to be our biggest and brightest Diwali festival ever. We hope that everyone in Tameside will take the opportunity to get involved in the celebrations".

The Diwali festival, similar to Christmas in the west, is celebrated in each of India’s regions in its own way, but the lighting of many small oil lamps is common throughout the country. The lights are symbolic of the victory of the light of goodness and knowledge over the darkness of evil and ignorance. The lighting of the lamps is also an opportunity for people to show thanks for the good things in their lives.