A new 'Eco Festival' will be at the heart of all the fun of St Margarets Fair, which has been a centrepiece of summer for over 40 years.

The event, which kicks off at noon on Saturday at Moormead Park, is expected to draw hundreds of locals for the mix of over 100 stalls, games, live music, performers, food and drink.

The annual extravaganza, backed by Property Partnership, is supported by five schools which, along with local charities, rely on the event to raise much needed funds.

A new addition this year is an Eco Festival, which aims to inspire residents to reduce waste, particularly plastic, and 'think about how we can help protect where we live'.

Participants include the Twickenham Repair Café, which offers expert help to bring old and broken items back to life as an antidote to the throwaway society.

The new Richmond Living Streets group, which aims to make our area more pleasant, safe and accessible for pedestrians, is represented.

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Other participants include The Refill Larder, which promotes moving away from throwaway packaging, and there will also be stalls offering book and toy swaps.

Music is always a major element of the Fair. Heading the bill this year is Errol Linton, the award-winning Brixton-born singer-songwriter.

Local talent includes 'Nobody for President', who are a product of the Powerjam project, which supports young musicians aged 9-18. The band was chosen to represent the UK this summer at the first International Teen Rock Festival in New York.

Visitors can also look forward to performances from Sonic Daze, The Molotovs, Groove Academy from Hampton, Funky Nature, The Dan Anstruther Band, The Horntown Project and Walking the Dog.

This year sees the return of the popular Dog Show, sponsored by King Street Vets, with nine categories ranging from 'Perkiest puppy' to 'Waggiest tail'.

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Organisers said: "The success of the Fair is made possible by a large number of volunteers. With minimal running costs and no paid staff, we can make sure that nearly every penny earned is donated."

The schools involved in the Fair are St Stephen's Primary, St Mary's Primary, Orleans Primary, Deer Park and Orleans Park.

The Fair organisers choose charities to receive support. Last year, these included Habitats & Heritage, Home-Start and Richmond Carers Centre.

Money is also raised each year for fund an annual Christmas dinner for local senior citizens.

Cash is raised through food and drink stalls 'run by the Fair', which include a Beer Tent, Pimm's Stall, Prosecco Stall, Barbecue, and Gloria's Tea Tent.