BOLTON'S Hindu community is being urged to do its bit to help the less fortunate at a religious celebration.

Visitors to the Dussehra 2015 festival are being asked to bring donations for charities the Bolton Destitute Project, WAVE Adventure, and BRASS (Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers), particularly tinned foods, long-life milk, dried foods like pasta or rice, and clothing.

The initiative has been led by Bolton Hindu Forum – the umbrella organisation for the towns' Hindu temples, community groups, and organisations – after a number of groups expressed an interest in helping with the ongoing refugee crisis, as well as problems faced by disadvantaged people in Bolton.

The festival, set to be held at Bolton Indian Sports Club, will include a spectacular fireworks show and is hoping to attract a big crowd, with more than 1000 people attending last year.

Paras Agravat, of the Bolton Hindu Forum, said: "We are very thankful to Pravin Parmar of Bolton Indian Sports Club as we have already received a substantial donation from his clothing company, and we would hope that this will be great opportunity for the entire Bolton community to show how they can come together at a time of need.

"People will also have the opportunity to donate money to these causes on the day if they wish to do so.

"This will be a great opportunity at a well-attended event to achieve something positive as a community, and I hope you will attend and support us in this."

The Dussehra festival will be held at club, in Hacken Lane, on Saturday October 24, from 4pm onwards.

Entry is free, but car parking is £2. To hire a stall and for more information ring 01204 546124, or email pm@boltonhinduforum.org.uk