INDONESIANS in the north west will celebrate independence and democracy with a day of festivities in Lowton.

Communities will come together to mark the 69th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence and the recent election of the country’s 7th president Joko Widodo.

There will be national music and dance, traditional games such as tug of war, a fashion show and a food market at Lowton Civic Hall on Sunday, August 17, from 11.30am onwards.

Co-ordinator Heni Lockitt said: "Starting from a small idea from friends who miss their homeland and food, we now receive interests from Indonesian communities all over the country."

Indonesia gained its independence from the Netherlands on August 17 1945 after decades of fighting and in 1949 the UN recognised Indonesia as a sovereign country.

In 1998, Indonesians toppled its dictator of 32 years.