Thousands of people assembled on the streets of north Chingford over the weekend for the largest annual community festival in Waltham Forest. 

Stallholders, musicians and visitors praised the added variety to this year's Chingford Village Festival, which took place on Saturday (June 13) in and around Chingford Green. 

Irene Bull, 61, has been organising the festival for the past 21 years and described the positive feedback from festival-goers on Saturday as "overwhelming".

Dozens of new acts and venues signed up this year to promise crowds a selection, including a great British tea room, England's only professional basketball team The London Lions, jazz bands, salsa dancing, kickboxing, football and rugby. 

Over 50 bands, singers and choirs took to the various stages which Ms Bull said is the main reason why she started the festival - to promote local talent. 

She said: "It has been a really feel-good day for the community and very family-orientated. 

"People vote with their feet and come every year. 

"For all the hard work, it is worth it and this year I've had more feedback than ever before."  

Saturday's event was supported by the Guardian and sponsored by car supermarket Motorpoint, based in Lee Valley Road, Chingford. 

Motorpoint sales manager, Robert Jones, said: "Last year, I could see Irene was under a lot of pressure. 

"I am always overwhelmed at how the festival brings the whole of Chingford together and as a company, we wanted to give back to the community.  

"Irene definitely goes above and beyond for the community, the lady deserves an award."

Resident Sas Banerjee of Kimberley Road, has been attending the festival with his family for the last 9 years. 

"The kids love it and its good opportunity to bring the community together," said the 44-year-old.  

"It attracts people from outside of Chingford and highlights Chingford as a good place for business. 

"Every year it grows from strength to strength - it is quite an amazing feat for one woman."

Entertainment inside Chingford's Assembly Hall was organised by singer Shelley Twinn of Warbuoys Crescent in Highams Park, who said: "It is yet another fabulous day in Chingford with a great mix of music, poetry and dance which emulates the spirit of the people of Chingford. 

"I look forward to working with Irene to make it even bigger next year."   

Others festival-goers described it as a "landmark event in the calendar", and a "highlight" of the year.