More than 30,000 people celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with bands and dancers in Trafalgar Square.

The square was transformed by colourful lights including floating flower lanterns in the fountains.

Despite persistent rain, organisers hailed London's sixth annual Diwali festival as a great success.

More than a dozen acts put on colourful displays from midday to 8pm yesterday, with children and professional dancers sharing the stage. The festivities opened with traditional Indian garba folk-dancing and a sari-wearing demonstration.

British group Shama and Friends sang a Diwali song commissioned by Asian music channel B4U. They also performed the glittering finale, Journey To Bollywood.

Nil Kumar, one of the organisers and the event's master of ceremonies, said: "It was a fantastic day. Even with the rain the square was absolutely packed with families swaying from side to side with the music."

The free festival was a collaboration between the Mayor of London and the Diwali in London Committee. Ken Livingstone said: "Diwali is an important occasion for London's Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and represents the power of good to triumph over evil, a theme that has relevance for all of London's communities."