More than 3,000 people turned up to make the first Whittington Park festival a rip-roaring success.

The inaugural event in Holloway Road saw a huge range of activities for all generations, including face-painting, Nordic walking with sticks, boxing, a nature trail, bird box making, sculpting and a dog area.

People also took advantage of fitness check-ups, advice for young people and an over 50s area, complete with retro music and tea dancing.

Tracey Willoughby, who came up with the idea of the festival and staged it with the help of North Islington Communities Group and the New Orleans Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, says it represents a triumph for the north of the borough.

She said: “It was fantastic – it exceeded all expectation.

“I came up with the idea because we needed something to show the good side of north Islington, which has a great community spirit and togetherness.

“It’s not about gangs, the Whittington Hospital and getting to the north circular. Not everyone in Islington lives in Upper Street and knows Boris Johnson.

“We will definitely be back next year.”