BOLTON Museum was a sea of lights and colours when it celebrated the annual Hindu festival of Diwali.

Bolton Hindu Forum and the Embroiderers’ Guild sponsored the event which was attended by children of all ages and their families.

Participants created various pattern boards using different coloured powders, petals, paint, pens and pencils, as part of an Indian folk art called Rangoli.

Urvashi Tulsidas, support group worker for Bolton Hindu Forum, said: “This event is to raise awareness of different faiths and make more people aware of the festival of Diwali.

“Hindu culture is all about colours, brightness and sharing happiness with one another — it’s very therapeutic.

“The children have really enjoyed it — you can see on their faces that the message of happiness is rubbing off on them.”

One youngster who learnt all about Diwali was Chloe Costen, aged 9, from Radcliffe.

Chloe said: “I’ve learnt that Hindus sprinkle sand onto a board for Diwali. I’ve had a lot fun because I’ve found out stuff that I didn’t know before.”

Chloe’s stepfather Craig Schofield, aged 29, from Farnworth, added: “It’s really important to educate kids on different cultures because, as a society, we’re mixing together.

“We didn’t have anything like this when I was at school and you can see on the kid’s faces how much they’ve enjoyed it.”