A festival celebrating what a town and the surrounding district has to offer kicked off a week of festivities.

The I Love Epping festival included live music, art displays and showcases by community groups on the town centre’s streets.

The festival was the second of its kind held in the town and organiser Barry Seager, of the town centre partnership said visitor numbers had shot up.

He added: “The weather was much better this year and the number of people in Epping must have trebled compared with a normal weekend at this time of year.

“It was good to see many more community groups this year, like the fire service, who opened the station and pulled the fire engine through the streets.”

He said he would like to see more traders getting involved in future events.

“Traders moan about footfall, but unless you do something yourself about it, no-one is going to do it for you,” he added.

“In the morning, when we were setting up, it was just myself, Barbara Ford, Seamus from Daniel Robinson and Sons funeral directors and councillor Tony Church.

“Rekha Patel from the Clocktower had also been heavily involved.

“It would be easier and better if more people got involved in the organisation.

“I think the more we do in the high street, the more local people will use it.”

The next event in the Epping Festival, which runs for a week, will be an open practice of Epping Forest Band at the Jack Siley Pavilion in Stonards Hill, Epping, tonight from 8pm to 10pm.

The Epping Town Show, including a funfair, arena displays and an appearance by former boxing champion Colin McMillan, is due to take place on Sunday from noon to 5pm at Stonards Hill recreation ground.