TORRENTIAL rain may have put a dampener on proceedings but it could not completely extinguish the colourful spark of Bolton’s multicultural spirit.

Crowds gathered in Victoria Square on Saturday for the eighth annual Spirit of Bolton event.

The day, which was organised by Bolton Interfaith Council, featured displays from some of the borough’s different community and faith groups as well as demonstrations of music, dance and traditional activities.

Performances by the Swaminarayan Gadi Pipe Band, Roma Gypsy girls group, Bolton Baton Twirlers, Bollywood Divas and the Smile of Hope dancers and drummers had onlookers smiling despite the weather.

There was also a workshop in self defence by the Asian Elders and demonstrations of classical dance, yoga and traditional Indian folk dances known as Garba and Dandiya Raas.

Stealing the show in their colourful dress were six-year-old Trishna Kuppuswamy – who performed a traditional dance – and her four-year-old brother Krish.

The siblings, who live in Farnworth, were representing the Greater Manchester Tamil Sangam with their parents, who are from Tamil in southern India.

Volunteers from the Bolton Hindu Forum were on hand to show passers-by how to make traditional Rangoli prints in paint powder, and write their names in Gujarati.

Madha Taratiya, a member of the forum who was manning the stall, said: “For us it is about explaining what Hinduism means and where we are from.

“We are also promoting the festivals and workshops we are holding at the Ved Mandir temple. We are welcoming everyone to these festivals to promote friendship in the borough.”

Organiser Chan Parmar, from Bolton Interfaith Council, said: “It is important in this climate that communities come together, work together and get to know one another to develop relations and foster a sense of belonging to our town.

“We need to work together for the better of the town, for our children at least.

“I am proud that this is the eighth Spirit of Bolton event – it is something which has grown year on year.”