RITTER on horseback and robots are just some of the strange characters that people entertain at a festival to release funds for St. Luke’s Hospice.

More than 2000 people attended the Festival of Tilbury in the Gateway Academy in St. Chad’s Road, on Saturday.

The crowd watched the knights jousted of Central England and the eagles and hawks flew over the course of the special day.

Titan, a robot, 10 feet in height, squirted water and sang songs to the great delight of children and adults.

Organizer Allison Jones said: “We have decided, at a festival in Tilbury to show that the Hospice cares for people in Thurrock and Basildon.

“The tournament was a genuine display of riding and the robot Titan is absolutely great - even to accompany men around him to see what he is.”

People were also entertained with the views paintballers and dogs.

Mrs Jones added: “The money has not yet been counted, but we hope that they have a good amount for the hospice.

“Everyone has really enjoyed, and they even have a fantastic time.”