THE weekend sees the return and 40th anniversay Horndon on the Hill Feast and Fayre.

The theme for the two day event on Saturday (24 June) and Sunday is 'Merry England' and This years event is special as it will the the 40th anniversary of the event's revival.

Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun and wear fancy dress and the entertainment has been chosen to be in keeping with the theme where possible.

The Feast and Fayre traditional event dates back to the 13th Century when the village was granted a Royal Charter to hold a feast and celebration on the last weekend in June.

It was was revived in 1974 when a descendant of the original squire of the area was asked to preside over a pleasantly warm weekend and about a dozen runners attempted the first ever Horndon 10k.

When the Feast and Fayre was revived, the church was open during the weekend with a themed Flower Festival and this tradition continues.

Food and drink is still at the centre of the celebrations at the church where there will also bed musical interludes. 

There will be many stalls and events throughout the village and centred on its two pubs, the Swan and The Bell.

On Sunday the traditional 10k run takes place around a circuit of local roads.