West Bromwich’s new £1.6 million Hindu temple was officially unveiled by former Foreign Secretary David Miliband in a grand ceremony attended by hundreds of people.

Mr Miliband, who is running to be the next Labour Party leader, unveiled a plaque at the Shree Krishna Mandir Temple in Old Meeting Street. He said: “I am very, very proud to be able to see you on this fantastic multi-cultural and multi-faith occasion.

“I am proud to be able to salute your community which has rebuilt this magnificent temple after 18 years of absence. It will go down as a magnificent testimony to the people of West Bromwich and to the West Midlands.

“It speaks of a community that has come together to rebuild.”

As Mr Miliband addressed hundreds of Hindus, people in the background could be seen fitting gold, spire-like structures to the top of the building. It  been carved from sandstone shipped over from India and features four ornate white marble statues of Hindu gods and a 20 ton archway.

There is also a stone wall, with intricate carved peacocks, and a 20-ton archway.

Temple president Chandi Patel said: “It is a great honour to have someone like David Miliband come to open the temple. We are very pleased. The temple’s looks is exactly how we hoped it would.”