Music, dance and celebration are set to bring Oldhamers together once again as the borough celebrates the 20th annual Festival of Light next month.

Each year, the event, organised by the Oldham Interfaith Forum, is held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall in early December to celebrate the special holidays for different faiths under one roof.

The colourful and diverse event celebrates four different events from different religions: Deepawali, Chanukah, Christmas and Mawlid an Nabi.

The Festival of Light will be held on Monday, December 4 and will begin at 6.30pm, with people able to attend for free as long as they have a ticket.

Organisers have said those attending can expect a wide range of entertainment, including an Indian dance, a Nasheed artist, Christmas carols played by a steel band, a young people’s choir, a quiz and more, along with brief explanations of each of the festivals.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times' morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

The organisers also acknowledged there have been events in the world recently which have caused tensions between some groups, however they said the Festival of Light offers Oldhamers the chance to be proud of their backgrounds and coexist in the borough.

A spokesperson for the Oldham Interfaith Forum said: "There has been some concern, of late, between people of different religious communities caused by international events.

"We, however, want to show that the only hopeful way forward is for co-existence and cooperation with growing mutual respect.

"The Festival of Light enables people to be proud of their difference, to learn about other religious communities, and to develop greater respect."

Anyone looking to attend the event can book a ticket online on www.oldhaminterfaith.org.uk, by emailing oif-events@outlook.com or by calling 0161 624 6733.