THOUSANDS of Sikhs paraded through the city's streets today celebrating the most holy day in their calendar year.

Despite a chilly start from Ramgarhia Gurdwara in Bolton Road, the sun came out as the parade walked from temple to temple, stopping along the way at all of Bradford's Gurdwaras for blessings, free food and drink.

The Vaisakhi marches have been happening in the city over the past three decades and is always much looked forward to said Amraj Bopari, who is in the congregation at Peckover Street's Gurdwara Amrit Parchar - the first stop on the joy-filled route.

"It's quite a sight to see when the parade approaches. It's a great time of celebration," he added.

Vaisakhi marks the Sikh New Year and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa, the wearing of the turban and beard, wooden comb and sword in 1699 by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

Leading the Nagar Keertan parade was a line of five men carrying swords, followed by a lorry carrying the Holy Scriptures and musicians and singers performing devotional hymns - following it came the parade on foot.

A bus also followed the route to transport the elderly and very young who were unable to walk it.