A popular festival will return this year having secured funding and sponsorship.  

Now in its 20th year, the Chingford Village Festival, organised and run by Irene Bull, 60, is set to return to north Chingford this summer.

Ms Bull has been organising the family-fun event for two decades, but has had to cancel it twice in the past - including last year - due to a broken ankle and a lack of funding.

This year the Chingford Guardian is supporting Ms Bull by sponsoring the event, which takes place on June 28.

In 2012 the festival attracted more than 10,000 visitors throughout the day, and this year's event is expected to attract an ever larger crowd.

Despite Ms Bull having recently undergone surgery for a hip replacement, she has started work to secure entertainment for the festival.

Acts confirmed so far include the S.O.U.P Community Ukelele Club based in Enfield, Waltham Forest's violin group Strung Out, the Choir of Chingford Parish Church, and Walthamstow's London Forest Choir.  

This year's festival, which runs from from 12 noon until 5pm, will be funded via the cost of pitches for stallholders and sponsorship by the Guardian.

Ms Bull said: "My passion for music led me to get involved with local youth projects. I started the festival because I very much believe in the community and now I realise how much it is valued, having been cancelled last year.

"It's the people that matter, and although we don't have the same sort of funding as a council-run event, we're better because we give local businesses and community groups the opportunity to be at the heart of it."  

Activities and entertainment will be held at St Peters and St Pauls Parish Church, in Mornington Hall, Vestry Hall, on Chingford Green and at an unconfirmed bar in Station Road.

Ms Bull is calling on the community to support the festival and get involved. If you are intested in becoming part of the festival, call 0208 559 4500.