One of the highlights of a spectacular Sikh procession through Reading was cancelled over safety fears.

Normally, the Vaisakhi procession features spectacular displays of Gatka, a Sikh martial art.

The displays feature a range of spectacular jumps by members of the Sikh community armed with real swords.

Thousands of people line the streets for the event , and the organisers of this year's event felt there was not enough space for the displays to take place.

Organiser Surjit Singh Jutla told getreading : "The organisers felt there was not enough space to do the Gatka display safely.

"So for safety reasons, it was decided not to do it this year."

Vaisakhi Festival in Reading View gallery

He added he did not know whether the decision was made on the day of the event, Sunday, May 5, or beforehand.

He said a review of the whole event was to take place later in the month and more would be revealed then.

He added: "We wanted to say thank you to the community.

"We know the event causes some disruption and we'd like to thank everyone who got involved, the two councils (Reading and Wokingham) and the police."