BIRMINGHAM was transformed into a sea of orange as tens of thousands of Sikhs paraded through the city streets to mark the annual Vaisakhi festival.

An estimated 90,000 people, many proudly sporting the colour of the Sikh nation, filled the streets with the sound of drums for the processions.

Thousands of people of all ages lined the streets of Handsworth as two processions set off from Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in Hockley and Smethwick.

A row between local church leaders over the celebrations clashing with Easter Sunday had threatened to overshadow events, over concerns that worshippers heading to services would be hit by road closures.

Some of the churches had called in solicitors to look at the issue, but an agreement was reached for the Sikh parades to be moved to a later starting time.

At the head of each procession was the Guru Granth Sahib – the holy scriptures of revelation – accompanied by five Sikhs dressed in ceremonial costume.

The march culminated in Handsworth Park, where thousands of families enjoyed picnics and a free vegetarian feast.

Coun Gurdial Singh, acting chair of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, said as many as 32,000 people took part in the two processions.