Thousands flocked to Orpington to enjoy its first ever free vintage fair.

The Big O Festival brought around 4,000 people to the Priory Gardens on Saturday (July 4) to enjoy nostalgia from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Bromley Mayor Coun Kim Botting opened the event, and Orpington MP Jo Johnson was also spotted in the crowds.

‘Celebrating Suburbia’ was the theme of the day, and there was a 50s, 60 and a joint 70s and 80s tent.

A fleet of classic cars and mopeds – including two riders and their bikes which starred in the cult film Quadrophenia - drew in the crowds.

One of the organisers, Nick Barclay from Talkingbox, said: “The classic cars attracted many people, all the scooters rode in en masse, suddenly they were there.

MORE TOP STORIES “The 50s tent was rocking, there were dance sessions which people really took to, it was a real feel good factor. There was also live jive in the 60s tent.

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from everyone; Orpington now has a proper festival. There was so much for people to take in. I think the overall nostalgic value attracted lots of people.”

Among attractions were life size replicas of the policebox from Dr Who, Thunderbirds, Knightrider, and other TV and film memorabilia.

The day, which also sold vintage clothes and records, was raising money for the Mayor’s charities the National Brain Appeal, UK Connect, and the south east London breast cancer trust.

Mr Barclay added: “It brought Orpington alive again, we're back next but hoping to expand and make it a 2-day event.”

Michael Maxted, who runs a Memory Museum, put together the 1950s front room and spent a month building the Thunderbirds rocket with his father, Malcolm.

He displayed some items of Hayes’ Christopher Greener, formally the UKs tallest man at 7”6, who sadly passed away in February. 

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Mr Maxted with the suit and chair

He said: “People were really interested in the chair and the handmade suit. It’s these sorts of things people forget and unfortunately you never see them again.

“It’s really good to have this festival considering the Priory is the home of the museum and the council says they can’t get enough people, it just shows how many people can actually go there.”