Youngsters strike a pose at the Dagenham Town Show

Hundreds of people took to Dagenham’s Central Park to welcome in the fine summer weather and celebrate the 60th town show.

Monty Wright, at his stall, Hansel and Gretel sweet store

Residents young and old flocked to the home of the much-loved community bash and enjoyed fairground rides, food stalls and entertainment during the first day of the annual festival.

Sixties chart toppers The Hollies saw out the show in style, taking to the stage at 6.30pm to blare out their best known hits.

Teenage singer and pianist Ryan Green, 15, performed well known hits by the Kings of Leon and other artists before the headline act.

Tomorrow the show will mark a momentous moment for the borough by welcoming the Olympic Torch. Dance troupe Diversity are set to pick up the torch and carry it into the grounds.

Veran Wedderburn

Today heralded a return to summer and families took to deck chairs and rugs to enjoy the music and lap up some long-awaited rays of sunshine.

Alf Avis, of Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, said the show was an institution for the area.

He told the Post: “I’ve been coming to the town show every year since we moved down here about 22 years ago. It’s always good. It’s about the community working togather.

“I think it’s a very good thing it’s free.”

Veran Wedderburn, of Atlantis Close, Barking, took her nine-year-old daughter, Paige and said the rides had been a big hit.

She said: “I’ve bought many things here today - necklaces and other jewellery. My daughter loves the rides. It’s brilliant it is a free show because I don’t think many people could afford to go otherwise.”

Monty Wright, who ran his stall, Hansel and Gretel sweet store, at last year’s show as well as today’s, said the weather had raised everyone’s spirits.

“It’s really busy. It makes a big difference to business. Last year it rained a lot.”

Tomorrow Lemar will headline, and is set to perform tracks from his back catalogue as well as new single Invincible. He will be joined by Britain’s Got Talent star Molly Rainford and other acts.

An exclusive interview with The Hollies, along with extensive coverage of the town show and torch relay, will feature in the next issue of the Barking and Dagenham Post, out on Wednesday.