Brighton and Hove’s Gujarati community came together to celebrate Navaratri at a special event.

The annual Hindu festival, celebrated over nine days, saw residents honour the goddess Durga with dancing and other festivities at the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove.

The celebration prominently features the Gujarati folk dance known as garba, which continues into the late hours of the night for the entire nine-day event.

Councillors Chandni Mistry and Bharti Gajjar took part in the festivities as the only two Hindu councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council.

Cllr Mistry said: “I feel immensely blessed and delighted to have been a part of this cultural festival.

“As a Hindu, it is a great honour to have taken part in the ceremony, alongside numerous residents.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mira Patel, the president of the Gujarati Community Society, to all the dedicated committee members for their gracious invitation.”