More than 1,000 people lined the streets and then filled up Central Park for the ninth annual Dartford Festival of Light.

Organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC), the popular celebration is a highlight of the local calendar and brings the town’s communities together through the arts.

It began with performances on One Bell Corner by Brass Volcanoes Jazz Band, Folk in Beats African and Asian Drumming Collective, and colourful stilt walkers, while Bloco Fogo Samba welcomed commuters after a long week at work outside the railway station.

Mayor of Dartford Cllr Rosanna Currans led children from nine local schools on a lantern parade through the town centre, alongside council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con) and Cohesion Plus artistic director Gurvinder Sandher.

The schools had taken part in creative workshops delivered by Sky Arts ahead of the night, with 450 youngsters having benefitted.

Our Lady of Hartley, Joydens Wood Junior, Temple Hill Primary, Oakfield Primary Academy, West Hill Primary, Dartford Bridge Primary, Sedleys Primary, St Anselm’s Catholic Primary and Brent Primary were all involved.

Central Park was the scene of the festival’s grand finale, with a short presentation to each school and a spectacular fireworks display to finish off the evening.

Mr Sandher and Cllr Kite were both delighted with how it went.

“This was our biggest and most successful Festival of Light to date in Dartford,” said Mr Sandher.

“It was so pleasing to see how the local community and especially the young people came out and supported our work.

"I believe other parts of the country could learn from how we use the arts to bring communities together and promote our shared British values.

“I would also like to pay credit to Dartford council for supporting our work and sharing our vision for this festival.”

Posting on Facebook, Cllr Kite said: “It’s always a pleasure to support and sponsor these events.

“It was great night, full of fun and noise. Now the ninth year is under our belt, looking forward to something very special for the tenth anniversary.”

Funding for the festival is provided by Cohesion Plus, Arts Council England, Dartford council, Kent County Council and KECC.