The Jewish festival of Chanukah is helping to light up a gloomy world says an Ealing rabbi.

Rabbi Hershi Vogel from Ealing Synagogue in Grange Road, Ealing said the message of Chanukah related to all religions and was imperative now in such depressing times. Rabbi Vogel, who attaches a giant Menorah (candelabra) to his car to highlight the festival, said: "Chanukah is all about light; how we can create light in a dark world. Although the festival is only for eight days, the message it gives us is for the entire year.

"All the festivals now, whether it's Diwali or Christmas, are all about light. Light has tremendous power to create a smile. We must not let the darkness take over."

The eight-day festival of Chanukah which started last week commemorates a story which began in Judea over 2,000 years ago. The Jews were forbidden to follow their faith and after a battle against the Greeks found their temple in Jerusalem was virtually destroyed.

They temple's eternal light only had enough oil for one day, but it miraculously lasted for eight days so today Jewish households light a candle every night for eight days. It is also traditional to eat oily food like doughnuts and latkas (potato cakes) and give presents and money to charity.