A new £2.5 million centre for cow protection will be opened at a Hindu temple in Aldenham next month.

Thirty saffron clad priests will be chanting 5000-year-old mantras for the opening of New Gokul, a farm on which no animal will be killed or harmed at Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Hilfield Lane, Borehamwood.

The event will also have ancient costumes, traditional dances, ox power demonstrations, cart rides, and devotional singing to the accompaniment of Indian drums and cymbals.

Cows will be painted in traditional colours and decorated with flowers.

The opening ceremony will be performed by guest of honour Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Attorney General and Hare Krishna spiritual leader His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami from India.

The event will be held on the day of the Hindu New Year or Diwali on Saturday, November 6.