An organiser behind Southend's newest cultural festival said it is expected to grown the economy.

Southend Bid, is one of the organisations funding the event and works to increase the business offering and economy of the town.

Alison Dewey, Bid manager, said this works with creating an event such the Southend Festival.

The organisation is hoping that the event will help to draw even more big businesses to the area as they will see it's an area with a good economy.

Alison said: "I think it's really good news for Southend as we have some big names who have performed on a national scale.

"We are hoping that after this year, the event will just grow and develop.

"We hope the event will draw more people to the area and will encourage them to spend their money here and help enhance the economy.

"It is a difficult time for high streets at the moment as so many people are spending their cash online so we do need more reason to get people to go to Southend High Street.

"It is important that we can offer people a positive cultural experience when they come to our town centre. We have so much talent on offer and it is so diverse, and this event is a perfect chance for that.

"Some big names such as Hal Cruttenden have performed at huge venues so it will be a chance for people to see him perform when they might not have had chance before. It's set to be a intimate gig."

She said there is a lot of hard work that goes with organising an event like this. Southend Bid has also been working with various south Essex based groups to get the event off the ground.

She was not willing to disclose how much it costs to hold the event.

Formed in 2013, Southend Bid is the Business Improvement District Company for Southend.

The company is made up of businesses that pay an additional amount to provide services in the area that the group of businesses wants to have.

A Bid company has a maximum of five years before it has to ask businesses if they want the Bid to continue.