Hundreds of people flocked to Southampton Guildhall this evening to watch the 25th annual Vaisakhi celebration.

This year's festival formed part of the celebrations taking place throughout the year to mark Southampton's half century of city status.

Daily Echo:

Special guests included leading city politicians and Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes.

Also there was the Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Ivan White, who launched the Southampton 50 celebrations earlier this year.

Harjap Singh, chairman of Sikh Council Hampshire, who has lived in Southampton since 1966, has dedicated his life to improving race relations.

He said: β€œIt's very important that all communities work together and this event helps to make that possible. We respect all faiths, all religions.”

Daily Echo:

Vaisakhi is the holiest day in the Sikh faith calendar and many of the people taking part wore traditional outfits.