Thousands of Sikhs celebrated the Parkash Ustav (Birthday) of Guru Nanak by holding the annual Southall Nagar Kirtan (procession).

The procession started from the Havelock Road Gurdwara and finished at the Park Avenue Gurdwara.

At 1pm, it appeared that the usual massive crowd had not turned this year, as South Road did not have many people on it. This was due to the fact that the procession started later than usual.

The procession reached the mini roundabout near the train station at 1.35pm. After watching it for 10 minutes, it would have taken me one and half hours to reach the Broadway.

Standing on a garden wall, in the middle of South Street, I could only see it full of people in every direction I looked.

There were lots of free food stalls all along the procession route.

Maureen and Gary Parton from South Wales visited Southall on Sunday and got a "lovely surprise". They witnessed some "wonderful community spirit" and enjoyed some free "food and drink". They plan to visit next year.

The Police advise against travelling through Southall on such occasions.