A PACKED out hall celebrated the biggest Nepalese festival of the year, Bada Dasain, with great music and food.

The 15-day Hindu festival which finishes on Wednesday was celebrated in traditional Nepalese style at Harrow Football Club on Saturday.

The celebration was hosted by the Thanti Nepalese Society for the community of 20,000 Nepali people living in Ealing, Brent, Harrow, Hounslow, and Hayes - 4,000 of whom live in Ealing.

Ealing North MP Steve Pound and Southall MP Virendra Sharma attended to see the lighting of the Diyo Emblem of Hope, followed by a night of comedy, music and traditional Nepalese food.

Sanat Gurung, chairman of Northolt WEA and general secretary of Thanti Nepalese Society UK, said: "The commanding and encouraging welcome speeches highlighted hope and courage, praised Gurkhas and recognized their commitment to the country.

"The DJ enhanced the happiness with its breathtaking music. The floor was really rocking it seemed - no-one was seating on the chair."