IT was a Diwali party to remember as more than 1,000 people gathered at Bolton's Ikon nightclub yesterday for a celebration of the Hindu new year.

Families from Bolton, Burnley and Blackburn gathered as top Indian band The Golden Moments took centre stage as the party got into full swing.

Children from Bolton later performed special dances followed by a disco in which both young and old took part.

Hindus celebrated Annakut, the faith's new year on Friday and the giant party, organised by the Leava Patidar Samaj Bolton, is the finale of these celebrations.

President of the Bolton group, Dabhai Kumar Patel, said: "This is a real family event with a mix of east and west.

"Babies through to people who are over 75 come here to celebrate. It is for all ages and is a chance to celebrate and chat with relatives they may not have seen for some time. It's a bit like Christmas in the Christian calendar.

"We decided to stage the party in a nightclub. Previously, we have held the Diwali party in school halls but we were in danger of losing the younger element. Now we have moved with the times."