Boats, sea scouts and the odd pirate took over the riverside for the start of this year’s Surbiton Festival.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rally kicked off the festivities with activities and stalls lining Queen's Promenade on Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18.

More than 60 boats floated up the river for the two-day event which was organised by the 1st Surbiton Sea Scouts, who raised money for the life-saving charity through stalls, demonstrations and raffles.

The vessels lit up on Saturday evening for an illuminated parade along the river while music from a hand cranked pipe organ entertained onlookers on the river bank.

Chris Dainty, Chairman of the Surbiton and Kingston RNLI said: “David Cameron talks about the big society, well this is typical of it at work - people helping a charity which looks after local people. All the people here have given their time freely.”

The annual festival continues this weekend with a grand parade, street market, poetry reading and YMCA day starting from 10am on Saturday, September 24.

The Linden Wind Orchestra will also be performing a concert including a ‘Salute to Surrey’ at St Andrew’s Church, in Maple Road on Sunday, September 25 from 7.30pm.

For more information visit surbitonfestival.co.uk.