Hundreds of friends and family packed out a community hall to celebrate their town last week.

More than 250 people braced the wet weather to attend the annual Celebrating Chessington at St Marys Centre.

Entertainment included energetic zumba routines and martial arts demonstrations as well as stalls with baked goodies and useful information from the likes of nutritional experts, Age Concern and Fairtrade.

London Ambulance and the fire brigade were also at hand for a special showpiece to wow crowds on the afternoon of Thursday, June 7, which was opened by Kingston mayor Mary Heathcote.

Outside on the church fields a bouncy castle, fun fair rides and a barbeque with burgers and sausages supplied by Chessington’s Lidl supermarket attracted younger members of the community. Kyle Roberts, 13, of Gilders Road, said: "Apart from getting soaked it has been a really good day. I’m surprised by how many people turned up with all the rain but it has still been fun and I am having a great day."

Father-of-two Julian Coy, 38, of Moor Lane, said: "It has been a really nice day, the boys had a lovely time talking to some firemen and have enjoyed sitting on the rides – especially the car and motorbike ones.

"It’s nice to be out and about within our local community."

Councillor Patricia Bamford also praised the hardwork put in by the many volunteers who had been involved in the planning and organisation of the event on the day and months ahead.