MORE than 7,000 people are estimated to have turned out to watch the 15th annual Vaisakhi procession through Hounslow on Sunday (March 31).

The colourful parade wound its way from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, off Hanworth Road, to the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, in Martindale Road, and back again.

A huge nagara drum set the beat at the head of the procession, with pride of place going to Sikh holy book the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

The Sikh festival Vaisakhi celebrates the arrival of spring and the anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa in 1699.

It is this event which gave Sikh believers their unique look by requiring them to maintain the five 'k's: kesh (unshorn hair), kanga (comb), kara (stainless steel bracelet), kashera (special breeches) and kirpan (sword).

Hounslow police were on hand to ensure everything ran smoothly and by the end of the day had tweeted what a fantastic event it had been.