MEMBERS of the Nepalese community in Swindon have come together to celebrate the most anticipated festival on the Hindu calendar.

Around 400 members of the community gathered for the Dashain family festival at Gorse Hill Community Hall.

The festival is one of the most important in the Hindu and Nepalese calendar, and celebrates a renewal of family ties with blessings received by the children in the community.

For the occasion there was traditional Nepalese food and music, with performances by two Nepalese folk singers Bimalraj Chettri and Jaya Chhantyal Pun

J.B Gurung, a former officer in the Gurkha regiment in the British Army, and chairman of the ex-Gurkhas Service Men Club, told the Adver: "We really enjoyed the two singers from Nepal and really appreciated them coming here.

"We are always looking forward to the next generation," added Mr Gurung.

"This is why we always encourage the children in the community to take part, and we feel the whole community come together."

In December the Nepalese community will be hosting another festival for Lhochhar, which will celebrate Nepalese family names.