The festival of Purim is often seen as “one of the happiest of festivals” in the religious calender and the borough’s Jewish community did not disappoint.

Ilford Recorder: Rabbi David Hulbert dressed up as a 14th Century Florentine Nobleman.Rabbi David Hulbert dressed up as a 14th Century Florentine Nobleman. (Image: Archant)

Purim - meaning “lots” - commemorates an event more than 2,000 years ago when the Jewish inhabitants of the Persian Empire were saved from a plot to destroy them.

Bob Kamall, chairman of the Woodford Liberal Synagogue in Malborough Road, South Woodford, said: “Purim is one of the happiest of festivals, the wearing of fancy dress and the spiel itself both bring a sense of fun.”

Another tradition of Purim is to tell the story - or “spiel” - of the biblical story of Esther, on which the festival is based on.

Mr Kamall, of the added: “It also brings together families across the generations as young and old get to together to share the fun.”

Adults and children at Bet Tikvah Synagogue in Newbury Park, and the South West Essex & Settlement Reform Synagogue, in Oaks Lane, also got into the spirit of Purim by dressing up for the festival on March 15.