THOUSANDS of Bolton Hindus are to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games by holding a huge community festival in the town.

The Bolton Hindu Forum is putting together plans for an Indian bazaar-style event on May 26.

It will include performances in traditional and modern Indian dance, music and fashion.

There will also be a variety of stalls and workshops.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.

Businesses are being approached to sponsor the event, which will be held on the grounds of the Bolton Indians Sports and Recreation Club, on Hacken Lane, Darcy Lever.

The festival will be free and is supported by Bolton Council's education and culture department.

A donation from the event's proceeds will be handed to a Bolton children's charity and surplus funds will be used to set up new community projects or support existing ones.

Bolton Hindu Forum is an umbrella organisation of the 22 local Hindu groups.