ENTERTAINERS, chefs, firefighters, historians, traders, craftspeople and a whole lot more are all gearing themselves up for the biggest event of the year in Wanstead next weekend, when the area hosts its annual festival.

Dozens of stalls and performances are planned for the event, which will be held on Christchurch Green in the High Street on Sunday September 13.

The free festival will be officially opened by mayor of Redbridge Cllr Thomas Chan at 11am, and will run until 5pm.

There will be dozens of special activities during the day for young and old alike, including a volleyball tournament, a flower show, children's arts and crafts exhibits, a bouncy castle, face painting, a toy library, a climbing wall, a bike obstacle course and a display of classic cars.

Residents will also get the chance to have a go on a unique pedal-powered fruit smoothie maker, browse a wide variety of stalls from groups and clubs in the borough and enjoy a sizzling array of food.

The main stage on the green will host performances from a mix of local bands, school ensembles and other groups from across East London, with styles ranging from brass, Afro-Caribbean acoustic, jazz, blues and rock.

Cllr Sue Nolan, who has helped organise the day along with her colleagues on Wanstead's area one council committee, said: “It just gets bigger and better every year, and obviously we hope this one will be the best yet.

“It's becoming so well known and recognised the festival has started to attract people from outside the area too - we had somewhere in the region of 5,000 people attending last year.

“What's lovely is that it really does bring out the whole community together. We've just got to hope the sun shines and the rain stays away.”

The event, which this year will cost around £10,000, is sponsored by the area one committee and the John Regan Chartered Surveyors company.

For more information about the day call 8708 2858.