Hundreds are set to attend Southend’s very first craft beer festival with music, cocktails and more coming to Leigh tomorrow.

Leigh and Westcliff businesses, bottle shop and bar Hopsters and vegan barbecue restaurant Stoked, are the behind the event which is set to give festival-goers the opportunity to sample craft beers from about 50 breweries, as well as cocktails and coffee.

There will also be elite street food, DJs, games and other entertainment.

Ollie Smith, owner of Hopsters in Elm Road, has said the event being hosted at Leigh Library Gardens is geared up to cater for 800 to 900 people.

As well as organising a main bar, the team have also invited their own favourite breweries to come along and showcase their wares.

Ollie previously said: “Myself and Billy Reeve from Stoked had this idea probably about a year ago.

“Not to take anything away from the ale festivals around, or CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale), but we wanted to put on something that was more modern and in keeping with our style and what we sell.

“We thought about it, wondered if we could do it, if we should do it... and well, favour fortunes the brave, as they say, so we set it up.

“We are using 50 breweries meaning at any one time people will be able to choose from 50 craft beers.

“We are also having a local craft cocktail maker, and soft drinks too of course for people who fancy something less beery.

“There will be DJs and really good food.

“There is a real thirst for craft beer in this area, if you pardon the pun. There are a few of us, such as West Road Tap.

“Also with the new Southend City status too - well, isn’t it good to have something a bit different and modern going on in Southend? And its the first like it in the area.”

The event is to take place tomorrow, Saturday August 27, and will be open for two sessions, one in the daytime at 11am to 4pm and again in the evening from 5pm to 10pm.

Bars will be closed for 30 minutes before each session.

Families are welcome to the daytime session, although under 18s must be with an adult.

Visit ticketgun.com/events/southend-craft-beer-festival-2022 for tickets, at £15 a session or £24.50 for a double session.

Ticket price includes entry to the festival and a special one-off branded festival glass.