Union members gathered to celebrate May Day and pay their respects to workers killed or injured at work.

Waltham Forest Trade Union Council held two events in Abbots Park, Leyton, on Sunday.

The first was to mark Workers Memorial Day, which is held every year on April 28, to pay tribute to workers killed, injured or disabled by their work - like Marian Nemit killed when a wall fell on him at a job near the Bakers Arms, Walthamstow, and Raymond Holmes, who was killed working on a site in Coppermill.

Particular sympathy was expressed for Lyra McKee, a journalist and National Union of Journalist member in Northern Ireland who was shot while covering a riot in Derry.

The crowd observed a minute's silence to remember workers who died doing their job. The motto for the day was “Remember the dead and fight for the living”.

The second event was intended to be a revival of the traditional May Day event – when the working classes across the world unite to express solidarity and fight against unfair treatment.

The event featured entertainment and guest speakers, as well as activities for children such as face painting and games, and stalls hosted by various trade unions and campaigners.

Linda Taaffe, secretary of Waltham Forest Trade Union Council, said: “Despite disappointing wintry weather there was a great response. Now the tradition has been revived in this borough after a lapse of more than 20 years, we will definitely come back next year. In the meantime we continue the struggle!”