A family-friendly rave will come to a park in Richmond for the first time this summer, as part of an annual weekend of events.

Richmond Council has given permission for Raver Tots to headline three days of events in Old Deer Park in August, and for the events to return every year.

A film-themed event with a live orchestra will kick off the weekend on 29 August.

Raver Tots will take place in Old Deer Park in August (Credit: Nub News)

The next day's event, on 30 August, will see a variety of singers and bands perform for attendees.

Raver Tots will take place as the headline event on 31 August, featuring an open-air dancefloor, DJs, free funfair rides, stalls, street food, and games for families.

The council's Licensing Committee gave organiser Park Live Events a permanent licence to hold the events over one weekend in the park every summer, after a hearing on 24 February to consider concerns raised by residents.

An objection letter from Old Deer Park Working Group, representing five residents' associations, said it would be 'inappropriate' to grant a permanent licence for the events.

The letter raised concerns the events would cause issues that would not automatically be addressed as the organiser would not have to reapply to hold them, while the licence could be transferred to another company with different plans in the future.

Peter Willan, representing Old Deer Park Working Group, told the hearing members supported the events but wanted to minimise any risks they raised.

He said: "I think if we have several events, three or four, with permanent licences, we're running… a risk, because while Park Live may be very respectable and everything and continue as they have set out today, things can change.

"I think, in any estimate, the longer out you go, the bigger the risk and uncertainty that things can morph into something else that we then have no control over."

But agent Edward Chaplin, representing Park Live Events, stressed the events would not cause any problems.

He said there were measures in place to address the group's concerns as the council's events team would have to approve any new company being able to use the park, while anyone could ask for the licence to be reviewed if they had concerns.

Mr Chaplin said: "It's an opportunity for families and children to enjoy this type of entertainment at a lower scale than you'd normally see at an event or concert, in a family-friendly setting that wouldn't be available anywhere else."

He added: "This tried-and-tested event will be and is well managed and is a safe and successful cultural and entertainment facility for the residents and families of Richmond and surrounding areas."

The council's Licensing Committee granted the licence after ruling the organiser was 'experienced, responsible and had successfully run the event elsewhere, including in a larger park in Bexley' without complaints.

A report on the committee's decision added: "The event was family friendly, and while new to the area, had been tried and tested, and would be of benefit to families. Tickets would be sold in advance online and only to [people] with children."

Park Live Events has permission to sell booze, play music and hold dance performances from 5pm to 10.30pm on the Friday, 12pm to 10.30pm on the Saturday and 12pm to 6.30pm on the Sunday during the events.