GALLERY: Thousands celebrate at gurdwaras for Guru Nanak's birthday

Celebrations have taken place across the West Midlands to celebrate an historic moment in Sikh history.

Dilsimar Kaur, 8, at Smethwick's Guru Nanak Gurdwara

Gurdwaras in the Black Country opened early and put on a full day of celebrations to mark the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sikhism's first guru and founder and chosen on the day of the full moon in Kartika.

Volunteers prepared food and the halls ready for the influx of worshippers from 3am.

Volunteers work to provide food in the Langar hall at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

The Langar, the giving of free food, brought busy halls throughout the day at each Gurdwara.

Sikhism is one of the youngest religions in the world and spread around the world following the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, with over 30 million Sikh's worldwide.

The biggest Gurdwara in Europe is the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, spanning a total area of about 70,000 square metres and three storeys high.

The Gurdwara, which is based on Smethwick High Street, celebrated the birthday with a specially commissioned monument. Standing 7ft tall, it was the number 550 set in 3D members of the public to pose with.

GALLERY: Highlights from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

Education Secretary Sarbjit Singh, Reverend Nick Ross from Holy Trinity Church and Gurdwara President Jaswinder Singh with, back, Balbir Singh, Tarsem Singh Shoker, Baldev Singh, Palvinder Kaur, Hardev Singh Mund

Food handed out to people during celebrations

Families enjoying food at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

Rajinder Kaur, Sukhjeet Kaur, Kashmir Kaur help prepare food for the celebrations in Smethwick

The Gurdwara in Smethwick was among those marking the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

President Jaswinder Singh and former President Tarsem Singh pose with the special cake at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

The celebrations at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

People were celebrating the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Inside the prayer room at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

Dilsimar Kaur, 8, and Jaideep Singh, 6, at the events at Smethwick's Guru Nanak Gurdwara

Additionally, after a traditional service took place, a 5ft tall, five-tier cake was presented and cut up to be served in the evening, with a fireworks display the climax of the evening.

Sarbjit Singh, Punjabi School Education Secretary at the Gurdwara, described the day as "Amazing, with so many people coming into the Gurdwara. It was the best way to celebrate the life of Guru Nanak."

Wolverhampton has one of the largest Sikh population in the country, with around 10 per cent of the population attending services at one of the 11 Gurdwaras in the city.

Over 5,000 people came to pray and observe the service at the biggest Gurdwara in Wolverhampton at Sedgley Street

Sedgley Street Gurdwara, the largest Gurdwara in the city, was the central point for celebrations with a full day of services and events taking place, which included a full fireworks display in the courtyard and a coin display from the period following Guru Nanak's birth.

Rajinder Singh, Vice President of the Gurdwara, was keen to talk about the importance of the celebrations.

The priest and musicians lead the performance at the front of the hall at Sedgley Street Gurdwara in Wolverhampton

The Guru Garanth Sahib, the Sikh Holy book, alongside the Palki Sahib, at Sedgley Street Gurdwara in Wolverhampton

He said: "It's close to everyone's hearts to be able to celebrate this anniversary and it's something we want to leave for future generations and the other communities around, so they all know and can share part of that happiness and their joy.

"He's a very important person in our faith and his 550th birthday, which will never come round again, is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate and we want not just Sikhs, but we want to share that with everyone."