Hindu, Sikh and Jain families and communities will celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, for five days from today.

The festival is one of the most significant in the Indian culture. 

In Kingston, the celebrations began on November 5 with a light switch-on. 

Ahead of the celebrations, Prime Minister David Cameron sent his good wishes.

He said: "As the celebrations get underway, from London to Leicester, Glasgow to Gwent, Bristol to Birmingham, I want to send out my very best wishes to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights.

"This is a great moment in our national calendar and an opportunity to shine a light on the communities who do so much to make Britain great. In every walk of life, in every corner of our country, you can see the immense contribution of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.

"Day in day out, these communities put into practice the very best of British values like generosity, responsibility, enterprise, family. Nowhere are those values more evident than in people’s religious beliefs.

"Shubh Diwali."

November 2: Kingston to celebrate Diwali

Are you celebrating Diwali? Send us your events and your pictures or call 020 8722 6335.