HUNDREDS of Hindus celebrated the birthday of Lord Ganesh by immersing statues of the elephant god into the River Mersey.

Hindus gathered for the Festival of Immersion wearing colourful orange headbands and red face paint, and they boarded the ferries to the sound of drums and chanting.

They danced and touched the statues before dropping them into the water, alongside petals, scarves, jewellery and pictures of the Hindu god.

Lord Ganesh is believed to be the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune, and throwing flowers into the water is said to bring blessings to Hindus.

Nutan Sharma, a priest from the Hindu temple on Edge Lane, Liverpool, said: “Lord Ganesh’s story is very enchanting.

“Dispersing clay statues into the flowing water follows the old tradition of returning the god to his origin.”

And Yash Kohli, secretary of the Hindu Cultural Organisation, added: “Immersing the statues signifies washing away our sins.”