Thousands of people turned out for an event celebrating the Hindu festival of colours.

The Holi festivities took place at Dartford’s Open Air Theatre in Central Park with music, dance, food and people playfully throwing coloured powders at each other.

Holi is a Hindu holiday which marks the beginning of the spring season and signifies good triumphing over evil.

Celebrations were organised by arts organisation Cohesion Plus in partnership with Dartford council and community members, including Santosh Patil.

Nearly 4,000 people participated in the event on Sunday, March 24, making it the biggest of its kind in Kent.

Speaking afterwards, Santosh Patil said: “What an incredible day! As a community, we always knew there was an appetite for Holi to be celebrated but I had no idea that people would come out and support us in such huge numbers.

“This year we were honoured that the Nepalese, Punjabi and British communities were able to join us in celebrating and we only hope that going forward we can be even more inclusive – these celebrations are for everyone.”

There was free food and colour powders available, as well as music played by DJ Inspire.

Live entertainment by Gravesend’s Kings of Dhol, a traditional folk drum group, and Nepalese and Indian community groups also took place.

Mayor of Dartford Cllr Rosanna Currans, leader of the council Jeremy Kite and the town’s MP Gareth Johnson, also attended to show their support

Cllr Kite said: “I am delighted that we’ve been able to hold such a brilliant free event for local people to enjoy.

“Our partnership with Cohesion Plus has produced some wonderful events over the years, and this has become a real highlight.”

Creative director of Cohesion Plus, Gurvinder Sandher, added: “I am so immensely proud of what we have been able to achieve.

“The Dartford Holi Festival of Colours is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when we work in partnership.

“We look forward to putting on bigger and better celebrations next year.”