Christmas comes early for some parts of Preston as the Hindu community gets ready to celebrate Diwali with a mammoth concert.

Some 1,200 people are expected to flock to the Guild Hall to see popular Indian band Orchestra Polytones and London dance duo Honey and Sunny in the run up to the festival.

The Christmas-like event commemorates the return of Hindu God Ram after 14 years' exile in the wilderness. Lights and candles play a great part in Diwali which falls on October 30, with the Hindu New Year following on November 1.

Fund raised from the concert will help build the new South Meadow Lane community centre used by local groups and schools. The finished result will be an impressive £3.2m marble temple.

Foundations for the building have been laid thanks to a lottery grant of £1.6m but the rest of the cash is needed for the temple to be ready in two years.

Concert organiser Anil Hindocha said: "The temple will be a showpiece and a great tourist attraction with visitors coming from all over the world.

"The project has brought Muslim, English and Hindu groups together. We've received lots of support from throughout the community."

The concert takes place this Sunday from 5pm. Telephone Hindocha and Co for tickets on 01772 653313.

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