NEW Cross Gate has been taken over by poetry, art, song and dance for the ninth Telegraph Hill Arts festival, which runs until next Sunday.

Events and activities still to come include an illustration and book workshop, an exhibition of children's art and a Cuban dance party night. There will also be a craft fair on Saturday, a nature reserve open day on Sunday and a concert at St Catherine's Church as the festival finale.

Festival chairman Susan Edwards said: "Every year the festival grows, with more and more local people being involved and sharing their talents and skills.

She added: "Festivals such as this help bring the local community together and celebrate the area's rich artistic heritage as well as our multi-cultural London."

For more information about events, call the festival box office on 020 7639 0214.