Bahá'ís in Swindon are celebrating the opening of gardens hailed as the eighth wonder of the world.

Mount Carmel in Israel is the site of the gardened terraces of the Bahá'í World Centre at Haifa.

The Bahá'ís, whose Faith is based on the unity of humankind under God, hope the gardens and the centre will be a magnet for people seeking spiritual renewal.

The official opening of the gardens was celebrated in Swindon with the screening of a video about the event in the Square Café, Regent Street.

Fidelma Meehan, Swindon Bahá'í Projects Co-ordinator, said: "For Bahá'ís, the completion of these gardens on Mount Carmel marks the realisation of a century-long dream to create a spiritual and administrative centre that will fully and fittingly represent the Faith’s position as an independent world religion."