A RECENTLY-opened Hindu temple in Rowley Regis celebrated eight months of work with a special gathering.

Sandwell mayor Councillor Barbara Price, West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson and West Midlands MEP Neena Gill were among the dignitaries invited to the Shri Pashupatinath Temple.

President Ashok Puri said a lot of work had been done thanks to many volunteers and a management committee had now been formed.

He said the Park Street temple is one of a kind in the UK, being named after the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal which is considered are of the most sacred of the Hindu faith – and survived the recent devastating earthquake.

Mr Puri said they wanted to create “a centre of hope, spiritual renewal and a place for multi faith collaboration and engagement in the coming years” in Rowley Regis.

He added: “We pray to God that our temple will be of a great benefit to not just local Hindus but also the entire local community, regardless of spiritual beliefs or religious practices.”