THOUSANDS of people flocked to the Erith riverfront earlier this month to enjoy the fun at the town’s 12th Riverside Festival.

The free event included an arts and crafts show, a children’s tea party, wacky races, a dog show, circus skills run by the Tri-Forum entertainers, and stalls and sideshows run by many local organisations and charities.

There were displays by the Riverside Twirlers and Europa Gymnastics in the Riverside Gardens, while on the Thames, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute put its river boat through its paces.

Bexley’s new mayor Councillor Denis Daniels arrived to open the event — and stayed all day, judging the puppet show. Council leader Councillor Chris Ball and Councillor Margaret O’Neill also attended.

The event raised around £1,500 for charity, nearly twice as much as last year.

l If you lost your camera at the festival, call 01322 351393.