The Prime Minister has joined people in Gravesend celebrating one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar - Vaisakhi.

David Cameron and his wife Samantha took part in the final stage of a procession to the town's Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Saddington Street.

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Mr Cameron was accompanied by Gravesham Conservative parliamentary candidate Adam Holloway who will be standing for his third consecutive term in office at the general election.

Dressed in appropriate attire, Mr Cameron was wearing a Sikh headdress called a Ramal while Mrs Cameron was wearing a blue shalwar kameez and a dupatta on her head.

When in the Gurdwara the Prime Minister and his wife were given a tour of the temple before saying a prayer with other worshippers.

There was a disagreement however, when holy men at the temple feared his presence would interrupt prayers and Mr Cameron's speech was moved into a side room, rather than one of the larger assembly rooms.

The Prime Minister then made a short speech where he discussed the three pillars of Sikhism and the vital role Sikhs play in Britain's society, he also said "Every single day British Sikhs help make Britain Great."

Addressing the audience he said "hard work runs through your veins" and also made reference to the service of Sikhs in the First World War.

Mr Cameron said the celebrations in Gravesend were up there with the biggest and brightest around the world.

He said: "I think of the Vaisakhi celebrations taking place around the world this week, the hoards of worshippers that will flock to the Golden Temple, the pilgrims pouring into the Panja Sahib shrine in Pakistan.

"The parades from Vancouver to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpar to Birmingham, those are the big global celebrations and this here in Gravesend is one of them.

"I wanted to make sure that Downing Street was part of this too and I'm proud to be the first Prime Minister to host a Vaisakhi celebration at number 10.

"And I’ll tell you what, if I'm back there as Prime Minister I will keep bringing the community, the colour and the celebrations back to Downing Street again and again.

"And I’m sure of one thing too, my children will keep stealing the sweets time after time."

Before heading to Gravesend the Prime Minister made a private visit to Rochester Airport.

Earlier, thousands of people took part in the parade through the town as part of festivities which traditionally mark the spring harvest in the area of Northern India where most Sikhs in Gravesham come from.

Set up on the Gurdwara's sports field there was a large range of activities for people to enjoy, including free traditional Indian cuisine, a fun fair for youngsters and stalls offering services, like membership to organisations such as the Khalsa Bikers.

One of the most eye-catching was a stall that offered to put Turbans on people.

It was run by members of the Chardikala Turban Academy, who were also on hand to explain to visitors the importance of the headdress in Sikhism.

As the parade made its way up Saddington Street and onto Milton Road, onlookers of all ages and ethnicities craned their necks and drank in the explosion of colour and culture spilling on to the streets.

The procession had numerous floats, many of which had young members of the Sikh community on, including players from Guru Nanak FC. There was also music from members of the 4x4 Bhangra Group.

Many people attending the festival had said it had been getting better each year and these thoughts were echoed by Cllr John Caller, Mayor of Gravesham.

He said: "This year has been fantastic and every year it gets bigger and bigger. There are so many members of the community turning out to celebrate Vaisakhi.

"I'm a motorcyclist and I had a little talk with the Khalsa Bikers and one of them let me sit on his motorbike, which was brilliant."