The streets of Hounslow will again be awash with orange on Sunday (April 3) as thousands of Sikhs turn out for the annual Vaisakhi procession.

Around 7,000 people are expected to attend the annual parade, now in its 18th year, where brightly-clad worshippers will march to the sound of beating drums.

This year's Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan will leave the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Hanworth Road, Hounslow, at 1pm.

Participants will head west to the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, in Martindale Road, Hounslow, where they are due to stop briefly at 3.45pm. They will then return to the starting point, where celebrations are set to continue until 7.45pm.

The route of this year's Vaisakhi procession through Hounslow

Road closures will be in place during the procession and police have warned drivers to expect delays in the area.

Vaisakhi is a harvest festival commemorating the initiation of the first five members of the brotherhood of the Khalsa, which took place on April 13 1699 - a key date in the development of the Sikh faith.

It is credited as the origin of the five Ks which gives Amritdhari, or baptised, Sikhs their unique look: kesh (uncut) hari, kanga (wooden comb), kachera (special breeches), kirpan (sword) and karra (iron bracelet).

Huge crowds gathered to watch last year's Vaisakhi procession .