Sikh celebrations have taken place across the world today to mark Vaisakhi.

The spring festival remains of the most important dates on the religious calendar commemorating the day in 1699 when Sikhism was born as a collective faith.

In Gravesend, the town's Vaisakhi festival takes place on Saturday and is predicted to be the biggest ever.

Celebrations are being held in the town centre and the Guru Nanak sports field in Trinity Road.

The centrepiece of the celebrations will be the Nagar Kirtan procession due to start from the Gurdwara at 12pm passing through the town centre and around the town.

The day will finish with open air activities on the Guru Nanak sports field including a funfair, Sikh martial arts, interactive activities for children, food stalls and a stage programme by Bhangra star Sukshinder Shinda.

Davinder Singh Bains, president of the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend, said: “On behalf of the Management Committee I would like to invite all the residents of Gravesham to come and attend the festivities which will be taking place at the Gurdwara and in the Town Centre.

"This is a celebration not just for the Sikh community but one for the borough of Gravesham."

Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, added: “We are all very proud of the positive contribution that the Sikh community has made to Gravesham going back over many years.

"This can be seen in how the Vaisakhi celebrations have evolved from being just an event for the Sikh community to being one which brings together the diverse communities of the borough.

"Personally I am very pleased to be involved both in the organisation of this event and the Saint George’s Day celebrations a few days later. This is what makes Gravesham so unique."