A BUDDHIST festival which originated 2,500 years ago was celebrated in Runcorn on Sunday.

More than 500 guests came to the Wat Phra Singh UK Buddist Temple on High Street.

The festival comes at the end of the rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhists.

It is a time of giving when lay Buddhists offer donations to temples and new robes to the monks.

Free food was served to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity.