MORE than 150 adults and children visited the Sydenham Family Centre in Bridgwater to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali last week.

There are different legends about Diwali but the book of Ramayana is the most popular tale of the festival.

Celebrated over five days, the third day of Diwali is seen as the most important and it is on this day that houses are decorated in traditional Rangoli patterns.

During the centre's celebrations, Alan Jones, chief executive of Somerset County Council and head of service, Linda Barnett, both attended, along with Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgwater, Graham and Kay Granter.

There were also representatives from the Somerset Primary Care Trust, Somerset Skills and Learning, children and staff from Bridgwater College's Children's Centre and parents and children from the community.

Ceri Plested, a year 11 student, provided entertainment with a performance of a Bollywood dance and this was followed by an Indian stick dance performed by the Asian Women and Friends Group who meet at the centre every other month.

Jas Jutley-Plested, family support services manager, said: “Most of the guests dressed up in Indian costumes for the occasion. Everyone enjoyed the food and entertainment and I would like to thank members of the community, centre staff and our partner agencies for their continued help and support.

“We had a great day.”