PAISLEY has given its bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 a huge boost with a video showing Indian dancers performing in front of the town's major landmarks.

The four-minute video, called The Longing, stars dancers from Abhinaya Glasgow Dance Academy and is set in the grounds of the 850-year-old Paisley Abbey.

Dancers can also be seen performing in front of the town hall, Anchor Mills and the cobbled streets of Oakshaw.

It was released to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Indian independence which will see events taking place across the world.

Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “We are thrilled to support this wonderful project through Renfrewshire’s Culture, Heritage and Events Fund.

“The diversity it shows will be central to our 2021 cultural programme, while the film also highlights the massive contribution the Indian diaspora make to the UK arts scene.

“Everything about the video is stunning and it shows Paisley, the Paisley Pattern, and our wonderful collection of historic buildings at its best.

“Of course Paisley and India are already linked – with our weavers having mastered the production of the original teardrop-motif Kashmiri shawls in the 19th century and created a fashion symbol which spread the Paisley name around the world.

“We are delighted to be celebrating those links."

The video was shot earlier this summer and uses classical Indian dance to tell the story of a beautiful girl called Rada who is waiting for her hero Kanan to return.

Earlier this month Paisley was confirmed as being shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2021 with Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.

The dancing was choreographed by Esther Sunija, artistic director of Abhinaya Dance Academy, who teaches Indian dance classes in the town.

She said: “With help from Paisley 2021, we wanted to showcase the important buildings of Paisley to people around the world. 

“We used the Paisley Pattern onto the sarees and rangoli and also showed the beautiful venues of Paisley, especially the mill and riverside, to help us communicate the story behind the scene. 

“We found Paisley's heritage buildings go well with Bharatanatyam and are delighted to highlight the diverse cultural influence of Paisley.”