Diwali is good for business in Leicester

Thousands of people in the Midlands will take to the streets tonight to celebrate Diwali with some local businesses calling it the most important financial period of their year.

Leicester's Golden Mile is hosting the biggest Diwali celebrations in the world outside of India.

Companies say that in these tough economic times the festival is critical for their businesses.

Dharmesh Lakhani from the Belgrave Business Association says "it's more vital that we do good business throughout Diwali, so that we'll be fine for the next year."