FIREWORK night may be over a week away but residents in Southampton can see the city sky light up when Diwali celebrations begin this weekend.

Thousands of worshippers are expected to send prayers across temples in Hampshire and Southampton for the Hindu Festival of Light.

This year, almost 100 are expected to visit Vedic Society Hindu Temple, on Radcliffe Road, for cultural celebrations on Sunday evening.

Visitors heading to the Vedic Society Hindu Temple are advised to avoid going by car, as its main car park will be closed due to fireworks.

The temple will be open from 9am to 9pm, with the firework display starting at 7.15pm.

Prayers are set to start at 8pm, including Chopda Pujan, which is a prayer to new account books as Diwali is considered to be the last day of the financial year.

Diwali is the precursor to Hindu New Year, which takes place on Monday, when the Vedic temple will be open from 9am to 9pm.

This is when visitors are encouraged to bring fresh Prasad, a vegetarian food that is a religious offering in both Hinduism and Sikhism, and is usually consumed by worshippers after prayer.

And celebrations do not end there as Indian restaurant Dhaba59, on Oxford Street, are hosting a ticketed dinner and dance event on Friday November 1.

It involves a two-course buffet accompanied by Bollywood music to celebrate the Festival of Light.

Owner of Dhaba59 Deep Rai said: "Me and my family all spend Diwali together by attending the Hindu or Sikh temple to watch fireworks and set off lanterns, so this why we are hosting the event the week after for the public. We have held Bollywood events before but this is the first time we have held a Diwali event."

Diwali is known as the Festival of Light because people decorate their homes inside and outside, with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas.