Schoolchildren from across Waltham Forest descended on a football stadium for a cricket event aimed at bringing the community closer together.

Leyton Orient and Essex Cricket joined forces for the festival in Brisbane Road, Leyton, and welcomed primary and secondary school pupils for games throughout the day.

The event was part of the countdown to Waltham Forest being the first London Borough of Culture 2019, England and Wales hosting the Cricket World Cup 2019 and the recently launched South Asian Cricket Action Plan.

Essex cricketers Feroze Khushi of Leyton and Matt Coles got stuck in with the young players before a showcase women’s match and an all-age tournament at the event on Wednesday (May 23).

The day was kicked off by 40 Year 4 pupils who took part in a mini tournament before Year 7 boys and girls had their turn.

Fifty visually impaired pupils from Joseph Clarke School in Vincent Road, Highams Park, also joined in on the fun with an adapted version of cricket.

The Tornado Tape Ball World Cup took place from the afternoon into the evening with six local adult teams taking part.

Danny Macklin, CEO of Leyton Orient Football Club, said: “We were absolutely delighted host cricket at the home of Leyton Orient and bringing it back to Leyton.

“It is great that the charities associated with Leyton Orient and Essex Cricket came together to put on what was a brilliant and memorable occasion for all involved.

“It brought together the local community to celebrate everything that is great about Cricket.”

Students studying for a diploma in sport at Leyton Orient Trust College Study Programme supported the event by being umpires for the day.