The iconic Sausage and Cider Festival is coming to Southend "bigger and better" this year as organisers have made an exciting announcement.

The popular event will be held at Priory Park on June 17, hosting an array of live music, multiple food vendors and more than 50m of bars.

Due to high demand, organisers have now announced the Sausage and Cider Festival has been upgraded with two more stages.

The main stage will host headliner DODGY, tribute bands, support acts, on-stage speed sausage eating contests and 6-round chili eating competitions.

The second stage will be home to the new silent disco where revellers can put on their headphones and choose their own beat to jam to while surrounded by an energetic crowd.

Finally, the third stage is a brand new Mini Grooverz tent where festival-goers can bring their little ones along for a kid-sized rave and let them party on their very own mini dance floor.

Sausage and Cider Festival events offer a variety of unique flavors of craft ciders including rhubarb, cherry bakewell, chocolate and pineapple, as well as an array of more than 12 sausage flavors and live entertainment.

Tom Cullen, marketing manager for Sausage and Cider Festival, commented: “Sausage and Cider Festival outdoors is a feel-good event with great music, a huge variety of cider flavors and great independent food operators.

"We are excited to be able to host our outside event in Southend for a bigger and better event for the whole family to indulge in.

"The new announcement of the silent disco, and Mini Grooverz tent, will give you even more to look forward to.”

Demand for the event is already high. Pre-sale tickets sold out in just four days. To get tickets for the event, visit buytickets.at/eventticket/802796.