The ninth annual Watford Celebration was bigger, better and more colourful than ever before, according to those who attended the event in West Watford on bank holiday Monday.

Held at the Multi-Racial Community Centre in Durban Road, the event featured a variety of entertainment  including a Chinese choir, Japanese dancers, Indian musicians, English folk singers, the Sunshine Ukulele Band, a Bulgarian violinist and Karen Kennedy’s humorous and quintessentially English take on life posing as her alter ego, Victoria Sponge.

Watford Celebration patron, elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, attended the event and said: "All communities celebrate but to get the communities to celebrate together as they do in Celebration is something Watford is very proud of."

The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Fergus McMullen and his wife were also present and delighted with all that they saw.

Jim Connor and Karen Kennedy were MCs for the day and accordionist David Silver played while food from many of Watford's communities was being served.

There were activities for children from Vicky Rainbow of the Brahma Kumaris, and Watford's recycling arts group, WRAP, and a face painter.

Ian Bond from Watford New Hope's market garden was offering gardening tips and the chance for children to plant seedlings and learn about homelessness.

In the "Sacred Space" members of many faiths including Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Brahma Kumaris, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Christians Across Watford, the Baha'i faith, the Family Federation of World Peace and Watford Area Humanists gathered to debate "Has religion done more harm than good?"